‘Spiderman’ accused of scaling GTA homes, stealing millions in jewelry

A Bradford father of two who scaled GTA homes like Spiderman is accused of stealing homeowners’ jewelry, watches and cash worth in the millions for at least the past three years.

“I would estimate this is just the tip of the iceberg,” Det. Sgt. Savas Kyriacou said during a news conference on Thursday.

Police said they got a crack in the case dubbed Project Spiderman on Jan. 31 when a 43-year-old man was arrested for failing to stop at a stop sign in the Mimico area of Lake Shore Boulevard West and Albert Avenue.

That’s when arresting officers say they found “a vast array” of stolen items, such as watches, jewelry and “quite a lot of cash.”

Search warrants were later executed in the GTA where police retrieved more stolen property.

Kyriacou described the man as “one of the most sophisticated, prolific person” police have ever encountered.

“The people that do commit these types of offences are not as sophisticated. They don’t have the equipment that he has,” he said.

Other items police found include ropes use to climb onto home roofs and second-floor windows, parabolic listening devices and other break-in instruments used to bypass alarm systems.

Shane Gagnon faces 31 counts of breaking and entering but police say he could face even more charges for “in excess of 100” other possible break-ins.

Gagnon, who owned several homes and was known to police, changed his surname from Zwezdararyk about five or six years ago, police say.

He is married with two young children, is not known to be employed and was planning to open a restaurant in Bradford with his stay-at-home wife, police say.

Police say he sold the items such as jewelry at pawn shops for 30 cents on the dollar.

No other suspects have been charged.

“It is an ongoing investigation and we’re far from finished,” Kyriacou said.

Police say the robberies, which date back to October 2010, occurred in Toronto’s Forest Hill as well as neighbourhoods in Vaughan and Richmond Hill. The break-ins occurred when homeowners were away on holiday or attending synagogue or church.

Police have set up a Facebook page that catalogues the alleged stolen property and are urging homeowners to check it out.

They can also contact them Gagnon.32division@torontopolice.on.ca or call (416) 808.3219.

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