$1.2-million equipment heist at Toronto Western Hospital

Three men walked out with scopes, lights, video processors Saturday

Three men are shown on surveillance footage after equipment heist
Three men are shown on surveillance footage after equipment heist at Toronto Western Hospital. Toronto Police

Toronto police are looking for three men after equipment worth $1.2 million was stolen from Toronto Western Hospital on Saturday.

The equipment includes 26 scopes used for colonoscopies and endoscopies (for examining the digestive tract), two light sources and video processors, according to police.

Const. David Hopkinson confirmed hospital staff did not discover the equipment was stolen until Monday

The equipment could be sold in the black market overseas, he said.

“It can’t be dismissed that this type of material might be very valuable in a black market in other countries,” he said. “I believe it’s definitely possible that this is earmarked to be shipped overseas and sold.”

Police have revealed footage of the incident, which for University Health Network spokeswoman Gillian Howard confirmed the theft was planned.

“It is quite clear I think if you look at the photography that these individuals knew where they were going,” she said. “They came equipped to pack the material up.”

According to the police, the men entered the hospital around 2:30 p.m. and forced their way to the surgical area on the fourth floor of the hospital.

Toronto police are looking for three men.

One is described as six feet, 35 to 45 years old and clean-shaven, with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a black English-style cap, a black three-quarter-length parka with a fur-lined hood, black pants and black shoes with white-silver eyelets.

The second is 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-9, 45 to 55 years old and clean-shaven, with short dark hair and a stocky build. He was last seen wearing a black English-style cap, black blazer, light-blue dress shirt, blue jeans and black shoes, and carrying a large black and grey backpack.

The third is described as 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-9 and clean-shaven, with a medium build. He was last seen wearing a black winter toque, black winter jacket, black pants, black shoes with a white sole, and pulling a purple suitcase on wheels with an extendable handle.

According to the police they were driving a silver Honda Odyssey minivan, possibly an early 2000s model.

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Posted: Mar 12 2017 6:53 pm
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