Video: $40,000 in cameras and jewellery stolen in Brampton break-in
Published March 1, 2023 at 11:09 am
A break-in caught on camera has shaken a Brampton family who had more than $40,000 worth of electronics and valuables stolen during a home invasion last weekend.
Ariz Shafi says he woke up with a start in his west Brampton home around 6:00 a.m. on Sunday morning (Feb. 26) when his mother discovered the front door of the home had been smashed in and was left wide open.
It wasn’t until checking his many security cameras that Shafi realized exactly what had happened.
Footage shared with insauga.com shows two men walk up to the Shafi residence and break down the door before making their way through the home. Shafi uploaded the video to TikTok and has had more than 390,000 views.
@ariz.shafi♬ original sound – Ariz S
A quick search of the home revealed many items were missing, including Shafi’s camera equipment, electronics, and one of his vehicles. The thieves even stole his mother’s purse, jewellery and cash.
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Shafi says the burglars made off with over $40,000 worth of property.
“These guys came for the cars but left with a lot more,” Shafi said of the incident that has left his family terrified. adding both his wife and mother are scared to stay home alone after the break-in.
The burglars can be heard on the video talking about trying to steal the family’s vehicles.
Four vehicles were parked in the driveway at the time of the thefts. And while the thieves stole the keys to one of his vehicles they were unable to take the car as it was blocked in by other vehicles.
Shafi said he usually keeps his keys near the front door but luckily the key fob for his most expensive vehicle was in a safe place on the day of the break-in.
Peel Regional Police have confirmed they have reviewed the footage and the investigation is ongoing. Shafi said police arrived two hours after discovering the break-in and he was told by officers that the thieves “hit the jackpot.”
“It was disappointing,” Shafi said of his interaction with the officer taking his statement. “It was like they thought it was a joke.”
Despite the comment, Shafi said he’s aware of the strain Peel police are under with a growing wave of auto thefts and property crimes.
Auto thefts in Mississauga and Brampton have nearly doubled since 2019, with more than 6,000 vehicles stolen in Peel Region last year.
Peel Regional Police recommend that, if you have multiple vehicles, park less expensive cars to block in more expensive ones to deter thieves. The City of Brampton is also launching a pilot program to give thousands of Brampton car owners of free Faraday bags – a signal-blocking pouch that can prevent thieves from copying your vehicle’s keyfob.
Even with six security cameras both inside and outside of the home, Shafir says he’s not surprised the thieves would be so brazen as there have been multiple other break-ins in the area.
“This is becoming way too common,” he said, adding that he’s reached out to Mayor Patrick Brown and his local MPP and is calling on them to advocate for stricter penalties.
If you have any information on this incident or any other break-ins contact Peel Regional Police at (905)-453-2121. You can also leave tips anonymously by calling Peel CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.
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