CRIME SCENE: 5 charged in series of residential break-ins across York region
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York Regional Police have charged five men and recovered stolen property as a result of Project Mattel, an investigation into a series of residential break-and-enters across York Region.
In March 2025, an investigation began into an organized crime gang allegedly conducting multiple checks on residences to ensure no one was home before smashing rear-sliding doors to gain entry.
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On June 5, around 1:30 p.m., police responded to a Vaughan residential break-and-enter in the area of Weston and Langstaff Rds. and found a suspect vehicle. Three men were taken into custody. Also recovered was stolen property and police seized break-in tools and a radio frequency jammer.
Search warrants were subsequently executed at four residences and on six suspect vehicles and two more suspects were charged and a quantity of stolen property was recovered.
York Regional Police believe that there are additional victims and are encouraging them to come forward.
Luis Alberto Rodriguez Martinez, 27, of Toronto, Francisco Felipe Rodriguez Martinez, 22, of Toronto, and Carlos Alberto Rodriguez Martinez, 46, of no fixed address, face six offences each; Wilson Mejia Arango, 49, of Toronto, faces three offences; and Mike Sebastian Rodriguez Martinez, 25, of Vaughan, faces two offences.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7232, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or at 1800222tips.com.
WITNESSES SOUGHT FOLLOWING CRASH
York Regional Police are seeking witnesses after a man was seriously injured in a single-vehicle crashg in King Township.
On June 2, around 5:30 p.m., police responded to reports of a white sedan that had left the roadway on Dufferin St., north of Davis Dr.
When officers arrived, they discovered the vehicle had veered off the road, coming to rest in thick brush . The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Through the course of the investigation, officers determined that the vehicle was travelling southbound on Dufferin St. at speeds exceeding 180 km/h in a posted 60 km/h zone prior to the crash.
Investigators are seeking any witnesses who may have observed the vehicle prior to the collision, not yet spoken with police, or have dashcam or home surveillance footage that may have captured the vehicle in the area around the time of the incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7704, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or at 1800222tips.com.
ROBBERY SUSPECTS NABBED IN HAMILTON
Hamilton Police say they arrested and charge three male suspects wanted in an armed robbery on Sunday minutes after the alleged incident.
Around 10 p.m., officers were dispatched to a shop near Barton and Hughson Sts. after employees stated a trio of suspects had entered the store demanding money. One of them allegedly had a firearm.
Cops say after after allegedly stealing cash and merchandise, the three fled in a red pickup truck and within minutes, officers located the vehicle and safely blocked it using their police cruisers.
All three suspects were arrested without further incident and the money, products, and an airsoft gun were recovered.
A 16-year-old male from Hamilton has been charged with robbery, disguise with intent and possession of property obtained by crime over $5000.
A 19-year-old male from Burlington has been charged with robbery, disguise with intent, possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, breach youth probation, use imitation firearm during commission of offence and possession of weapon for dangerous purpose.
A 28-year-old male from Hamilton has been charged with robbery, disguise with intent, possession of property obtained by crime over $5000.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 905-546-8934, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or at crimestoppershamilton.com.
NO-STOPPING CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY
The city of Toronto and Toronto Police Service are launching a two-week no-stopping enforcement blitz to help reduce rushhour traffic congestion.
Starting Monday until June 27, the blitz is targeting drivers who stop in no-stopping zones during rush hour on key arterial routes.
The initiative will increase enforcement during weekday afternoon peak periods from 3 to 7 p.m. with Toronto Police parking enforcement officers strategically deployed along high-traffic corridors in the downtown core.
In April, Toronto City Council directed city staff and Toronto Police to conduct two no-stopping enforcement blitzes this year: one by the end of June and a second by the end of September.
No Stopping Zones are on-street areas where motorists are prohibited from stopping for any reason except to avoid conflict with other traffic or to comply with a police officer or traffic control signal and include key downtown corridors, areas near bus and streetcar stops, pedestrian crosswalks and fire hydrants.
If a driver chooses to stop or stand in any of these zones, they can receive a $190 ticket and their vehicle may be towed.
The blitz’s results will be reviewed at the end of the two-week period to assess its impact and determine next steps.
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