A Toronto man is facing a slate of criminal charges following a brazen copper wire theft last weekend in North York, as police continue their search for a second suspect connected to the break-in.
Details of the North York Copper Theft
Zsolt Szendrei, 39, of Toronto, was arrested on Sunday, January 11, 2026. He has been charged with break and enter, disguise with intent, possession of break-in instruments, theft over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, and possession of proceeds of crime.
The incident began when Toronto Police responded to a break-and-enter call at approximately 8:20 p.m. on Saturday in the Weston Road and Garyray Drive area. According to investigators, two men arrived at a business in a white SUV, forced their way inside, and made off with an estimated $10,000 worth of copper wire.
Search for Second Suspect and Warning to Public
Police are actively working to identify a second male suspect believed to be involved. He is described as between 20 and 30 years old. At the time of the incident, he was reportedly wearing a light-coloured sweater, white pants, and black and white shoes.
Authorities have indicated there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with information to come forward. Tips can be provided to Toronto Police at 416-808-3100 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 416-222-8477 or online at 222tips.com.
Halton Police Issue Dual Public Safety Alerts
In a separate matter, Halton Regional Police have issued warnings about two concerning trends in their jurisdiction: counterfeit currency and distraction thefts targeting seniors.
In 2025, police received 92 reports involving fake banknotes. A significant portion of these incidents were linked to transactions on online marketplaces like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace. Counterfeits have also been passed at retail stores across the region.
Police advise the public to scrutinize banknotes for warning signs, including:
- Repeated serial numbers on multiple notes.
- Words such as “prop money” or “for motion picture use.”
- A holographic strip that appears to be a removable sticker.
- Noticeably poor print quality.
Distraction Thefts on the Rise
Halton police are also reporting a spike in distraction thefts, a tactic increasingly seen across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. In these crimes, suspects, typically female, approach seniors in public, often while they are walking near roadways.
The suspects initiate contact by asking for directions or offering a false gesture of goodwill, such as requesting prayers for an ill relative. They then distract the victim with a hug or by placing cheap costume jewelry on them as a “gift,” using the opportunity to stealthily remove the victim’s valuable real jewelry.
Police encourage anyone with information about these thefts or the counterfeit currency to contact the Halton Regional Police Service at 905-825-4777 or reach out to Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
