A man and woman have been arrested following a multi-jurisdictional investigation into mail and delivery package thieves — commonly referred to as porch pirates — in at least 16 cities and towns across central Ontario.
The investigation began earlier this month and resulted in police recovering a stolen vehicle, approximately $90,000 worth of jewelry and dozens of other personal items being shipped and mailed, South Simcoe Police said in a news release.
York Regional Police are among the forces taking part in the investigation.
Property has been recovered for victims spanning 16 different cities and towns across central Ontario with more still to be identified, police said.
The incidents involved thefts from residential properties and hotels, as well as complex identity theft and fraud occurrences.
South Simcoe officers executed two search warrants at a hotel room in Hamilton and on a vehicle seized in Innisfil, where they recovered a large quantity of jewelry, clothing, watches, bank cards, government-issued documents and personal mail. Police also seized 18 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 18 grams of suspected fentanyl.
Lily Goguen, 25 of no fixed address and Brian Murray, 32, of Barrie are charged with multiple offences, including theft, fraud, possession of stolen property and possession of drugs.
Police are in the process of returning the stolen property to the rightful owners.
