At least six break-ins and thefts have occurred at places of worship in Markham and Whitchurch-Stouffville this summer.
On July 21 at about 11:20 a.m., two male suspects forced entry into a residence associated with the Buddhist Prajna Temple on Wales Avenue in Markham. A significant amount of Canadian and U.S. currency was stolen before the suspects left in a dark-coloured SUV driven by a third suspect, according to York Regional Police.
On Aug. 6 and 19, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., a residence on George Street in Markham that is used as a Buddhist temple was broken into and a large amount of cash and a safe were stolen.
On Aug. 13 at about 12:15 p.m., two male suspects entered another residence that is used as a Buddhist temple, on Hidden Forest Drive in Whitchurch-Stouffville, through a sliding door. They were scared off by people inside and they fled the area before police arrived. No one was injured and nothing was stolen, police said.
At about 4 p.m. Aug. 20, five male suspects attended the Buddhist monastery on Kennedy Road in Whitchurch-Stouffville. Two of the suspects asked for a blessing before they stole a safe containing a large amount of cash. The suspects loaded the safe into a white Hyundai Elantra before fleeing the area in the same vehicle.
On Sept. 3 at about 10 a.m., four male suspects were seen wandering the property of the Cham Shan Temple on Bayview Avenue in Markham. They forced their way into a private area belonging to staff who live at the temple and they stole a large amount of Canadian and Chinese currency, as well as a cellphone, before leaving in a silver sedan believed to be a Toyota Corolla.
Suspect 1 is described as male, 30 to 40, six feet tall, 220 pounds, with a medium build and short black hair.
Suspect 2 is described as male, 30 to 40, five-foot-10, with a thin build, black hair and a partial beard.
Suspect 3 is described as male, 30 to 40, about six feet tall, 200 pounds, with a medium build and short black hair.
Suspect 4 is described as male, 30 to 40, five-foot-10, 220 pounds, with a medium build.
The three suspect vehicles are a dark-coloured SUV, a white Hyundai Elantra and, possibly, a silver four-door Toyota Corolla, with model years between 2014 and 2016.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the York Regional Police #5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866- 876-5423, ext. 7545, or the #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7244. Information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or 1800222tips.com.
