In 2015 members of the Welland Street Crime Unit began an investigation into a series of commercial break and enter offences into a storage facility in Port Colborne. During the course of a few weeks, over $50,000 in collectable items including; trading cards, coins, stamps, antique figurines and toys were stolen.
Investigators had a break in the case when two suspects attempted to pawn stolen items at a Niagara Falls pawn shop, ironically the store owner was also the owner of the storage facility in Port Colborne and the complainant of the break and enter. With aid of video surveillance two suspects were identified. The investigation lead police to a Port Colborne residence where over $7,000 worth of stolen property was recovered.
Police say Gordon Thurston a 54 year old resident of Port Colborne and Steven Harris a 38 year old resident of Port Colborne are charged with Fraud Under $5000, two counts of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 and one count of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000.
Paige Atyeo a 31 year old resident of Port Colborne and Ryan Atyeo a 22 year old resident of Port Colborne are charged with one count of Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000. All arrested persons were released from custody with a future court date.
This matter is still under investigation and additional charges and arrests are anticipated. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Ralston at 905-688-4111 ext 3316 or to call Crime Stoppers.
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