Abliamit Ziiadinov, right, is in custody, and a second suspect, pictured on the right, is at large.
According to local police, international criminals are arriving in Ontario disguised as tourists to commit crimes before heading back to their home countries.
Halton Regional Police believe that these “crime tourists” are taking advantage of the longer nights during fall and winter to break into homes. In recent incidents, over $400,000 worth of valuables have been reported stolen along with significant property damage.
The police indicate that this activity is linked to organized theft groups from Eastern Europe and Latin America who enter Ontario as tourists and target wealthy neighborhoods for luxury items that can be sold quickly for cash before leaving Canada.
Other law enforcement sources mention that if apprehended, these “tourists” often receive bail and manage to flee the country without facing serious consequences from Canada’s criminal justice system.
While Halton Police oversee Milton, Oakville, Burlington, and Halton Hills, similar crimes have been occurring across various communities in the Greater Toronto Area and other regions in Ontario.
“They mobilize in coordinated teams, conduct pre-offence surveillance, exploit natural escape routes such as trail systems, and focus on high-value items that can be quickly liquidated,” said Halton Detective Sergeant Kevin Magee of the 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau. “Organized property crime has a significant impact on neighborhood safety and residents’ sense of security.”
Magee stated that police are determined to disrupt the organized groups responsible for these crimes.
In Halton, Milton has experienced the most burglaries with a notable increase during 2025.
Investigators report that culprits typically gain access by jumping fences from trail systems into rear yards, forcibly smashing patio doors before ransacking homes for high-value items like gold and jewelry.
Evidences collected by police show that suspects used e-scooters to navigate through trail networks swiftly and quietly between neighborhoods before returning to a nearby getaway vehicle identified as a 2021 white Ford Explorer Police Interceptor model.
So far, one arrest has been made related to the Halton burglaries while another individual remains at large.
On Feb. 17, police conducted a raid at a residence in Mississauga where they recovered multiple pieces of jewelry along with trail cameras and electronic surveillance devices.
Abliamit Ziiadinov, 29 years old, has since been charged with 26 offenses connected to 13 residential break-ins that occurred in Halton between September and December of last year. The charges include break-and-entering as well as wearing a disguise with intent to commit a crime.
Ziiadinov is being held in custody pending his bail hearing.
A second suspect remains outstanding.
The police have released images of both the arrested man and the second suspect. They urge anyone with information to contact the Halton Police 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2416.
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Magee stated that police are determined to disrupt the organized groups responsible for these crimes.
In Halton, Milton has experienced the most burglaries with a notable increase during 2025.
Investigators report that culprits typically gain access by jumping fences from trail systems into rear yards, forcibly smashing patio doors before ransacking homes for high-value items like gold and jewelry.
Evidences collected by police show that suspects used e-scooters to navigate through trail networks swiftly and quietly between neighborhoods before returning to a nearby getaway vehicle identified as a 2021 white Ford Explorer Police Interceptor model.
So far, one arrest has been made related to the Halton burglaries while another individual remains at large.
On Feb. 17, police conducted a raid at a residence in Mississauga where they recovered multiple pieces of jewelry along with trail cameras and electronic surveillance devices.
Abliamit Ziiadinov, 29 years old, has since been charged with 26 offenses connected to 13 residential break-ins that occurred in Halton between September and December of last year. The charges include break-and-entering as well as wearing a disguise with intent to commit a crime.
Ziiadinov is being held in custody pending his bail hearing.
A second suspect remains outstanding.
The police have released images of both the arrested man and the second suspect. They urge anyone with information to contact the Halton Police 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4747 ext. 2416.
INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies
Last 30 Days: 31,893 Votes
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