Gold bars obtained by crime surface in Toronto: Police
Posted March 2, 2011 12:57 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto Police are asking the public – and jewelry and metal buyers especially – to be on the lookout for Australian gold bars worth nearly $1million.
Officers say 75 of the 10 oz bars were purchased in Montreal using a fraudulent bank draft. The purchase was made between February 9 and February 11 and the bank draft was written out for $1,895,751.
The draft was stolen and then deposited into a Toronto bank.
“I don’t know how you steal a bank draft,” Det. Ruth Moran said at a press conference, “but it was taken from a financial institution.”
The culprits then allegedly used the money to buy the gold in Montreal.
“The bars are made by the Perth Mint and measure 58mm in length, 37mm in width, and 9mm in depth,” Moran said.
“The bars are worth $13,000 each,” Moran added, which brings their total value to $975,000.
Police allege someone attempted to sell the bars, which have kangaroos on the back, in Toronto on February 14. The attempt was unsuccessful and police fear the culprit may try to sell them again.
One gold bar has been found and two men have been arrested. Senthuran Kanapathipillai, 32, of Toronto, and Thevarajah Thambipillai, 55, of Toronto, have each been charged with Possession Property Obtained by Crime.
The Canadian Bankers Association is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for any public information that leads to the arrest, conviction and recovery of the gold bars.
Bill Crate, director of the CBA, speaks in the video below.
