10 arrested after Fairview Pointe-Claire robbery, suspects may be part of international crime ring

Police believe an organized crime group from South America is behind a major jewelry heist overnight at a West Island mall in Montreal.

Police said the suspects — eight men and two women between the ages of 19 and 38 — drove to the Fairview Pointe-Claire mall late Thursday with a safe, jewelry and about $3 million worth of other items.

The suspects, who hail from Chile, are part of the South American Theft Gang (SATG), known for stealing money and property. The suspects, who do not speak English or French, used a fire extinguisher during the robbery, Noovo Info reports.

Shortly after the robbery, around 1 a.m., Montreal police caught them trying to flee in three cars, and others were arrested at their homes.

They all appeared in court on Friday charged with breaking and entering, theft, conspiracy and other offences. They remain in custody.

Montreal police (SPVM) have arrested eight men and two women in connection with the robbery of a jewelry store at the Fairview Pointe-Claire mall.

Criminal tourism

The so-called criminal tourism has been going on for years.

“Members of this criminal network, which operates in several countries, travel to carry out organized theft activities. SATG is monitored by various police organizations and border services,” said a police press release.

Montreal police said in 2020, members of a criminal organization who often travel abroad as tourists stole $200,000 from a currency exchange office in Montreal's Cartier district in a “well-planned heist.”

Two years ago, Halton Regional Police arrested more than a dozen Chilean nationals who allegedly broke into 400 homes in the Toronto area and stole nearly $2.7 million in valuables over the course of several months.

In 2015, Toronto police arrested 12 Chilean nationals in connection with another operation and laid more than 97 charges.