Three men from the Greater Toronto Area are confronting a staggering sum of more than 350 criminal charges following their arrest for a alleged summer crime wave targeting businesses across Eastern Ontario.
A Spree of Targeted Break-Ins
According to the Ontario Provincial Police, the incidents occurred between July and September. The suspects are accused of focusing on convenience stores after closing hours, forcing entry to steal cigarettes and lottery tickets. In total, 20 stores were hit during the multi-month spree.
The affected locations were spread across several jurisdictions, including:
- Three break-ins in Ottawa
- Five in Kingston
- Two each in Brockville and Cornwall
- Eight across the Leeds, Grenville, Russell County, Lennox and Addington, and Quinte West OPP patrol areas
Collaborative Investigation Leads to Warrants
The OPP's Community Street Crime Unit spearheaded the probe, working alongside police services in Kingston, Brockville, Cornwall, and Ottawa, as well as multiple OPP detachments. This collaborative effort resulted in arrest warrants being issued for the three individuals in late October.
At the time the warrants were issued, the suspects were already in custody in another jurisdiction. They were subsequently transferred to eastern Ontario, where they were formally charged on Tuesday, December 16, and remain in custody.
The Charges: A Detailed Breakdown
The extensive list of charges reflects the scale and repetition of the alleged crimes. Each man faces numerous counts related to the break-ins.
Karoly Csombok, 27, of Etobicoke, was charged with 20 counts of break and enter, 20 counts of possession of break-in tools, and 20 counts of disguise with intent, among other charges including theft over $5,000, vehicle theft, and multiple counts of failing to comply with a release order.
Ferenc Kiss, 28, of Brampton, faces 19 counts each of break and enter and possession of break-in tools, along with 20 counts of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence and 14 counts of failure to comply with a release order.
Norbert Szeles, 20, of Toronto, was charged with 17 counts of break and enter, 17 counts of conspiracy, and 15 counts of possession of break-in tools, alongside multiple counts of mischief, theft, and 15 counts of failing to comply with a release order.
The collective charges underscore a coordinated pattern of alleged criminal activity that spanned multiple communities and resulted in significant losses for local businesses.
