Peel Regional Police in Toronto, Canada, are investigating the theft of a $20 million container from Pearson International Airport.
The “high value container” is believed to have been carrying gold and other valuable items, according to a statement issued by Inspector Stephen Duivesteyn of the Peel Regional Police, and aired on CBC. The container arrived aboard an airplane Monday evening, but police have not disclosed where it came from, and which airline it was stolen from, according to Peel Regional Police. Police have not named any suspects in the heist and are unsure if the valuable contents are still in the country.
“As per normal procedure the aircraft was unloaded and cargo was transported from the aircraft to a holding cargo facility,” Duivesteyn said during a press conference.
“This high value container was removed by illegal means from the holding facility,” he said.
“This cargo was reported missing to the Peel Regional Police, a short time later, an investigation has commenced,” he told the press.
When asked about what precisely was inside the container, Duivesteyn erred on the side of caution.
“It did contain gold but was not exclusive to gold, and did contain other items of monetary value,” he said.
Thieves steal $15m in gold, valuables in Toronto airport heist https://t.co/Izqhg1HH6C pic.twitter.com/wHkLdN5bEr
— New York Post (@nypost) April 21, 2023
Reporters asked whether the heist could have been an inside job.
“I would suggest this is an isolated incident. This is very rare,” Duivesteyn said.
The Greater Toronto Airports Authority said the thieves accessed the public side of a warehouse that was leased to a third party, and that the area is outside of its primary security line. (RELATED: ‘Four Pretty Brave Suspects’ Allegedly Stole $30,000 Worth Of Jewelry Right In Front Of Security Camera)
“This did not involve access to Toronto Pearson itself and did not pose a threat to passengers or GTAA staff,” the authority said.
The investigation is ongoing.