Jewelry thieves targeting city’s Asian community

An organized crime group that breaks into homes to steal gold bars, coins, high-end jewelry and even designer hand bags may have turned up in Ottawa for the second time. Police said the same method has been used in nine daytime break-ins in the past three weeks: Intruders forced their way in through rear sliding doors or windows. The burglars have hit houses in Barrhaven, Chapel Hill, Central Park and Centretown, targeting people of Asian descent who either own or work at Asian restaurants. The crimes are similar to a rash of break-ins in 2011 that remain unsolved. “How are they determining their victims? Obviously, they are coming prepared to the home because we have seen some of them where the safe is attacked and defeated,” said Staff Sgt. Kal Ghadban, the officer in charge of the break and enter unit. Tools were used to break into the safes, which Ghadban says is no small feat. Police said tens of thousands of dollars worth of valuables were stolen from each home, including high-end jewelry, family heirlooms, designer hand bags, coins and gold bars. “It’s a huge issue right now,” Ghadban said. “Nine in three weeks, very similar, a substantial loss to these people.” Since the stolen gold bars are marked with serial numbers, police suspect they are melted down or sold on the black market. Police have asked residents to keep an eye out for suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods. Anyone with information can call the Ottawa police at 613-236-1222, ext. 2638.