NEWS RELEASE
ORILLIA OPP
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Three people have been arrested in connection to a theft from a Ramara business earlier this month.
On Nov. 1, at approximately 6:20 p.m., seven people entered a business on Highway 12. Some of them distracted the clerk while others entered the residence and business area. A firearm, substantial amount of cash and jewelry were taken. The cash and jewelry were in a small safe.
Surveillance photos show a number of the suspects and a vehicle they were using. The suspects were driving a newer-model white Dodge Caravan with no front licence plate.
Police are still searching for the other four suspects.
The seven suspects all appeared to be of Middle Eastern or South Asian descent, late 20s/early 30s and are described as follows:
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Female, medium to thin build, dressed in a dark full-length dress and donning a black scarf, which covered her face
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Male, medium build, with dark, short hair, wearing a green jacket, dark pants, black shoes with white laces
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Male, medium build, brown/black hair, with a beard and wearing a black ball cap, sports jacket, white shirt, dark pants, black shoes with white soles
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Male, medium build, brown/black hair, with dark facial hair including full beard and moustache, wearing a dark-coloured rain jacket, white ball cap, dark-coloured pants and black shoes
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Female, thin build, with straight, long black hair, wearing a grey/beige sweatshirt, athletic-wear tights, high-top white Nike shoes, light pink shoulder purse and large shoulder bag
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Female, medium build, with long, black, curly hair loosely tied, wearing a blue jacket, black tights, long, grey cotton shirt and white shoes
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Female, heavier set, with long hair, wearing a printed top, jeans and black-striped wedge-heeled sandals.
On Nov. 27, the Orillia OPP Major Crime Unit and Community Street Crime Unit, assisted by the York Regional Police Service District 5 Property Crime Unit, York Regional Police Service Emergency Response Unit, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada Border Service Agency, executed a search warrant at a Toronto-area residence.
Police arrested 23-year-old Alina Nistor of Scarborough, 27-year-old Martin Tomescu of Etobicoke and a youth who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. All three were charged with theft over $5,000 and break and enter.
The youth was released on a promise to appear and an undertaking to an officer in charge. The adults were remanded into custody and are scheduled to appear for a bail hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie on Monday, Dec. 3.
The Orillia Crime Unit along with Central Region Forensic Identification Services and the Orillia OPP continue to investigate this incident.
Police are asking anyone who locates a safe, witnessed this incident or has information that could be useful to contact the Orillia OPP at 705-326-3536 or 1-888-310-1122. Tips can be sent anonymously to Crime Stoppers at www.crimestopperssdm.com or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). The suspects should be considered dangerous; police are asking citizens not to approach them, but to call the police immediately if they see any of the suspects or the vehicle they are operating.
The Orillia OPP would like to remind business owners to be vigilant as these types of thefts are becoming more common. Large groups of people enter the business when there is minimal staff. The people will then distract the worker while others enter the back rooms, residence or safe areas and rummage for cash and valuables. Employees should work with a partner and/or have a communication device close at hand to be able to call for assistance if needed.
