Date: September 8, 2021
File: 21-18986
A series of residential break and enters in the Shelbourne area in July and August were investigated and have led to the arrests of two prolific and well-known property offenders.
Five residential complex units were broken into between July 9th and August 21st, 2021 on Shelbourne Street, Richmond Road, Cedar Hill Cross Road and Church Avenue. The suspects targeted secure areas of these buildings and stole items such as high-end bicycles, tools, electronics, delivered parcels, and in one case, firearms. Detectives in our Street Crime Unit began to investigate these crimes, believed them to be connected, and were able to identify two suspects.
On August 27th a member of the Integrated Canine Service located and arrested one of the suspects in the 3600 blk of Richmond Road. He had with him several items that linked him to the break and enters. A search warrant of his residence was conducted over that weekend which resulted in the discovery of several of the items reported stolen. The owners of many of the stolen recovered items have been notified and efforts are underway to return their property to them.
Timothy Gratto, 36, remains in custody and is facing three counts of break and enter into a dwelling house. The other suspect, a 37-year-old man, was arrested on August 20th in Saanich and police are recommending one count of break and enter of a dwelling house. The investigation is on-going.
“Our focus right now is to locate the outstanding firearms. They include a shotgun, a rifle, and a handgun.”
If anyone has information on the whereabouts of any of these firearms, please contact the Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321 or you can report anonymously through the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Cst. Markus Anastasiades
Public Information and Communications Officer