TORONTO, Ont. – The Toronto police hold-up squad has issued a public alert following three daytime home invasions in Toronto, Ont., in less than a week.

In one of the incidents, the suspects tied up and threatened to kill a three-year-old child. All the suspects were tied up, and two were beaten.

Toronto police Insp. Mike Earl told 680News he doesn’t think the same suspects are behind all three home invasions.

”Other than that it’s during daylight hours and residential homes, there’s so many dissimilarities and descriptions, with the faces covered, not covered, male black for some and white for others [and] age difference,” Ins. Earl said.

Police said they also don’t believe the victims were targeted.

The first incident took place on Aug. 10 at around 10 a.m., at Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue West. Two white men in blue coveralls, claiming to be from gas company, told the homeowner they were there for a gas smell.

After the homeowner opened the front door, police said the two men forced their way in, armed with a firearm and a Taser. The two homeowners — a husband and a wife — were tied with zip ties, as the robbers stole a quantity of jewellery and cash. The victims were not injured in the incident.

Police allege the suspects stole their grey 2010 BMW X3 SUV, with the licence plate AJJJ 624.

The two suspects are described as:

  • Suspect #1: White, 30-40 years old and 5’9″
  • Suspect #2: White, 6′, a goatee and a stocky build


On Aug. 12, at around 3 p.m., two men entered an apartment in the Neilson Road and Sheppard Avenue East area while a husband, wife and a three-year-old child were inside watching television.

Police allege the suspects tied up each member of the family with a phone cord and duct-taped their mouths. The bandits threatened to kill the child if the couple didn’t say where jewellery was hidden. They wore latex gloves and masks, and one suspect was armed with a gun.

The two suspects are described as:

  • Suspect #1: White, 25-35, 6’2″, slim build, with short black hair. He was last seen wearing a black baseball hat, and a light-coloured grey tracksuit.
  • Suspect #2: White, 25-35, 5’3″-5’5″. He was last seen wearing a black ski mask.


Then, on Aug. 14, at around 1:30 p.m., three men entered an apartment in the Markham Road and Eglinton Avenue East, possibly using a key.

Police allege they confronted a 64-year-old woman and her 23-year-old grandson were tied up and assaulted by the suspects, as they ransacked the apartment for an hour.

The three suspects are described as:

  • Suspect #1: Black, 5’8″-5’10″ (security camera image)
  • Suspect #2: 5’8″-5’11″ and was last seen wearing a black/white hijab scarf and a white Kurta
  • Suspect #3: 5’8″-5’11″

Police released security camera images of suspect #1, taken inside an elevator and outside the elevator. All three suspects had their faces covered and were wearing dark clothing.

Toronto police don’t believe the three home invasions are connected, and said they don’t think the victims were targeted.

Investigators are asking the public to be vigilant, and to call them immediately if they see anything suspicious. Police also warn residents not let strangers into their home unless you see identification.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-7350, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or leave a tip on TPS Facebook page. You can also download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.