DURHAM, Canada (Diya TV) — Durham police in Canada are actively pursuing a suspect involved in a series of break-ins targeting religious temples in Pickering and Ajax, Ontario. The incidents occurred on October 8, with three temples falling victim to the suspect.
Around 12:45 am, officers responded to an ongoing break-in near Bayly Street and Krosno Boulevard in Pickering. Surveillance footage revealed the intruder siphoning cash from donation boxes before escaping before police arrival. Within an hour, a second temple near Brock Road and Dersan Street in Pickering reported an attempted break-in. The suspect, detected through surveillance, was involved in the previous incident.
Authorities believe the same suspect targeted a third temple in Ajax, stealing a substantial amount. The suspect, described as 5 feet 9 inches tall, approximately 200 pounds, was seen wearing a blue surgical mask, black poofy jacket, green “camo” cargo pants, and green running shoes, walking with a noticeable limp.
The management of Rameshwar Mandir, one of the affected temples, expressed concern in a Facebook statement on September 22. They assured the public of their cooperation with the ongoing police investigation and emphasized their commitment to the safety of visitors and devotees.
While Durham Regional Police initially reported three burglaries in October, it has since emerged that three additional temples were targeted in September. The affected temples include Devi Mandir in Pickering, Sankat Mochan Mandir in Ajax, Hindu Mandir Durham in Oshawa, Chintpurni Temple in Brampton, Rameshwar Mandir in Caledon, and Hindu Heritage Centre in Mississauga.
The spate of temple burglaries follows similar incidents in late 2021 and early last year, with at least 18 break-ins reported. In March 2022, three individuals were arrested in connection with the burglaries, causing concern within the Indo-Canadian community.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Durham Police.
