Global Courant 2023-04-21 06:06:17
Police are investigating the theft of a “high-value container” containing gold and other valuables worth an estimated $20 million from Toronto’s Pearson Airport.
The container arrived early Monday night on a plane, Insp. Stephen Duivesteyn, spokesperson for the Peel Regional Police, said this at a press conference on Thursday.
Duivesteyn did not name the airline and declined to say where the plane came from, adding that it could jeopardize the investigation.
He did say the plane was unloaded according to normal procedure and the cargo was taken to an airport before being “illegally disposed of”.
The theft was reported shortly after discovery, he said. No one has been arrested.
LOOK | Police speak about robbery at Pearson Airport in Toronto:
Police speak after $20 million in gold, other items stolen in ‘very rare’ robbery
At a press conference on Thursday evening, Peel Regional Police said $20 million worth of gold and other valuables were stolen after being unloaded from a plane at Toronto’s Pearson Airport earlier this week.
In a statement to CBC News, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority, which manages the airport, said the thieves accessed the public side of a warehouse leased to a third party, and that the area is outside the primary security line.
“This did not involve access to Toronto Pearson itself and did not pose a threat to passengers or GTAA personnel,” the authority said.
As for who is behind the theft, Duivesteyn said he wouldn’t call it a professional job at this point, but added that the investigation is ongoing.
“We consider this an isolated incident,” he said. “Therefore, for the traveling public who are concerned about coming and flying, they need not worry. We do not consider this a public safety issue.”
Duivesteyn said there are no disruptions to airport operations and no travel safety concerns.
“This is very rare,” he added.
Police do not yet know where the gold has gone or whether it is still in the country, he said.
No suspicious information has been released.
