Police arrest five people in Ancaster jewelry store robbery

Hamilton police have arrested five suspects following a series of break-ins at jewelry stores in Hamilton and across the province.

On Nov. 17, Ancaster Jewellers was the victim of a break-in, during which more than $60,000 in merchandise was stolen.

Detectives say the group would pose as customers to scout jewelry stores in advance.

The break-ins typically occurred overnight, with suspects using a crowbar to pry open doors and gain entry.

While one suspect waited in a minivan used as the getaway vehicle, police say four to five others would enter the store and steal high-end watches, jewelry, and repair tools.

Police say the group targeted the same businesses multiple times, sometimes months apart.

Officers identified an organized criminal group believed to be responsible for a series of jewelry store break-ins as part of an investigation dubbed Project Crowbar.

On Friday, members of the Hamilton Police Service Break Enter Auto Theft and Robbery (BEAR) Unit executed two search warrants at Hamilton residences and searched multiple vehicles, including the minivan used in the offences.

Officers say a large quantity of suspected stolen property was recovered, including a stolen BMW.

Due to the volume of items seized, a full inventory is expected to take several days or weeks to complete.

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Police believe this group is responsible for similar jewelry store break-ins in Brantford, Guelph, Niagara Region, Peel Region, Quebec, and other jurisdictions.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Five individuals have been arrested and charged in relation to the November Ancaster Jewellers break-in:

• Silviu Moraru, 36, from Stoney Creek;
• Ion-Ciprian Constantin, 30, of no-fixed-address;
• Mircea Drezaliu, 36, of no-fixed-address;
• Ionut Stroe, 25, from Hamilton; and
• Vasile Vasile, 36, from Brampton.

Hamilton police will be opposing bail for all five accused.

The Hamilton Police Service BEAR Unit continues to work closely with the Peel Regional Police BEAR Unit, Brantford Police Service, Guelph Police Service, Niagara Regional Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, and the Sûreté du Québec.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Detective Constable Carolyn Crnac at 905-540-6329 or Detective Staff Sergeant David Brewster at 905-546-2991.

To provide information anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online at www.crimestoppershamilton.com.

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