A man faces a long list of charges after police recovered $400,000 in stolen collectibles from stores across Ontario, including Brantford.
Halton Regional police announced Friday officers charged two people from Hamilton and Guelph following an investigation dubbed Project Umbreon.
Last month, investigators identified a suspect believed to be behind several thefts that targeted collectible stores in Brantford, London, Oakville, Burlington, York, and Niagara, police said.
On Feb. 24, officers searched a residence and storage facility in Hamilton and a vehicle belonging to a female linked to the suspect.
Investigators seized a “large quantity” of collectible items that included high-value sports cards, Pokémon and other cards, comic books and figurines, police said.
Police estimate the collectibles are worth $400,000 and are working to identify the owners of the items.
A 32-year-old man from Stoney Creek is charged with four counts of breaking and entering, four counts of disguise with intent, trafficking in property obtained by crime, possession of break-in instruments, possession of property obtained by crime valued at more than $5,000, possession of a controlled substance and failing to comply with a probation order.
A 32-year-old woman from Hamilton is charged with possession of property obtained by crime worth more than $5,000.
The man is being held in custody pending a bail hearing, while the woman was released, police said.
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact Halton Regional police’s district criminal investigations bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2216.