toronto police

Toronto police finally catch man behind more than 100 downtown car break-ins

If you've been one of the unfortunate hundreds who have had their car broken into while it was parked in an underground garage in Toronto in recent months, you'll be happy to know that Toronto police have finally apprehended the man who may be responsible.

A 54-year-old resident who is believed to have broken into a whopping 115 vehicles in garages across the city as far back as November 2020 and as recently as this month is now finally facing charges for the series of crimes, which caused nearly $100,000 in damage total.

His locations of choice included the lower levels of popular downtown garages at Front and Bathurst, Dupont and Spadina, along King St. W, and more.

The investigation took authorities months and included a search warrant that yielded a ton of evidence — ostensibly property stolen from the cars — in the man's home.

Jose Manuel Freitas at long last appeared in court yesterday morning to face more than 120 charges ranging from mischief to auto to theft from auto.

Hopefully, those who pay to leave their car in what they think to be a safe and secure spot in the city — and we all know it isn't cheap, though such settings will likely always be a little creepy and vulnerable to crime — can now rest a little bit easier.

Lead photo by

@twurdemann


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Canada is seeing one of the worst standard-of-living declines in 40 years

Tributes pour in after death of Toronto City Councillor Jaye Robinson

It's going to get way easier to pay transit fare in Toronto with your phone

TTC literally just gave CEO Rick Leary an award days after chaotic subway shutdown

An aggressively spreading invasive species is completely taking over a Toronto park

50 tourist attractions in downtown Toronto you need to visit at least once

Stunning new lookout point overlooking Toronto wetland opens this summer

Stunning new Toronto transit station will link several TTC and GO lines