South Simcoe police has made two arrests and laid numerous charges following a multi-jurisdictional investigation into mail and delivery package thieves commonly referred to as “porch pirates.”
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.
Property has been recovered for victims spanning 16 different cities and towns across central Ontario with more still to be identified.
Police say the incidents consisted of thefts from residential properties and hotels in addition to complex identity theft and fraud occurrences. South Simcoe Police Service 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 stolen 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.
As a result of the investigation, police have charged Lily Goguen, 25 of no fixed address and Brian Murray, 32, of Barrie with 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.
