Toronto police have recovered more than 2,500 items allegedly stolen in high-end residential break-ins , and victims can identify their belongings through a catalogue published online by police. The investigation, named Project Compass , centred on break-ins at condominium units believed to hold cash, gold, luxury watches, jewellery, coins and other valuable property, across Toronto and the wider Greater Toronto Area. Arrests have followed, with 150 charges laid in all. Investigators say many of the items are of high value, and some could even be family heirlooms. Police estimate the recovered property is worth between $1 million and $1.5 million in total.



How Project Compass began after surveillance footage revealed a pattern in condominium break-insAccording to Toronto Police Service , Project Compass began in September 2025, when investigators identified a connected series of break-ins. A detailed review of surveillance footage quickly exposed a pattern, Inspector Joe Matys of 14 Division told a news conference at police headquarters on 13 August. Through that work, officers linked a further eight to 10 incidents dating back to May 2025, and used evidence gathered at one crime scene to identify a primary suspect. Further inquiries pointed to other suspects and associates. Police allege they formed a network responsible for the break-ins.



What Toronto police say they seized in March 2026 when officers executed five search warrantsOn 27 March 2026, officers executed five Criminal Code search warrants at residences and vehicles connected to the accused. Police allege they seized disguises, break-in tools, stolen property and a vehicle believed to have been used during the offences.




Three people were arrested and charged with offences including disguise with intent, break-in, and possession of proceeds of crime. Matys credited the Major Crime Unit of 14 Division, officers from 51 Division, York Regional Police and the Ontario Provincial Police for their work on the case.



Police allege a pawn shop near Queen Street East and Church Street turned stolen goods into cashInvestigators also uncovered what Matys described as a secondary component of the operation, involving a pawn shop in the Queen Street East and Church Street area. Police allege stolen property was trafficked through the business and converted into cash. A search warrant executed at the shop produced the main recovery, which includes jewellery, watches, coins, cash and precious metals.



How victims can claim recovered belongings and why police expect more charges to followPhotographs of the recovered property are posted in an online catalogue organised by category. Anyone who recognises an item can select it and submit a claim through the site, after which an investigator contacts the claimant for further information.




Matys said police believe there are more victims, and that additional charges will be laid as more are identified. At the 13 August briefing, he described the investigation as ongoing, so the number of accused and charges may have changed since then.