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Ottawa police and their colleagues across Canada sent out alerts this week about the return of the “South American theft groups.” Article content

The thieves, also called “crime tourists,” legally enter the country alone or in small groups, then “commit coordinated residential and retail break-ins,” police said. Article content Article content

In addition to Ottawa, investigations in the Greater Toronto Area, Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary have tied high-value robberies to these groups.

Police say these groups operate quickly and target cash, as well as jewelry, high-value watches, designer goods and small safes, which they then send abroad to resell.

Police have stated that homes along greenbelts and parks, as well as unoccupied houses, are commonly targeted. Thi

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