A group of seven people are facing nearly 70 charges combined following a police investigation into 80 break-and-enters throughout southern Ontario.
Waterloo Regional Police allege that the majority of the break-ins occurred within Waterloo Region.
Included in that number is a series of incidents in which stolen vehicles were used to break into buildings like Fairview Park Mall, The Aud and the Stampede Corral, after which ATMs were stolen or attempted to be stolen.
According to police spokesperson Alana Russell, vehicles would typically be stolen from dealerships or commercial garages.
Several people were typically involved in carrying out the thefts, Russell said, due to the size and weight of the ATMs.
Police say the group is linked to a total of 53 break-ins in Waterloo Region, and 27 others in other parts of southern Ontario, stretching as far as Toronto and Niagara Region.
The seven people arrested are all Kitchener residents, ranging in age from 20 to 25.
Most of the charges they face relate to breaking and entering, vehicular theft, possession of stolen property, dangerous driving, theft, mischief and obstructing police.
In total, police allege, the group is responsible for stealing $870,000 worth of vehicles, causing $400,000 worth of damage to businesses, and stealing $70,000 in cash from ATMs.
Also included in the allegations is the bizarre ATM heist at The Manor, a strip club and sometimes church in Guelph, which made national headlines in January.
In that case, the ATM was dropped at the roadside during a police chase.
Police continue to investigate the break-ins and say they want to hear from anyone else who may have information that could help them.
The investigation was led by a handful of detectives from Waterloo Regional Police, but also involved officers from Guelph, Stratford, London and Toronto, as well as Niagara, York, Halton and Peel Regions and Brant, Oxford and Wellington counties.
With reporting by Nicole Lampa
