An Ontario man, Archit Grover, has been arrested in connection with the largest gold heist in Canadian history at Toronto Pearson airport last year. Grover, a 36-year-old man from Brampton, was arrested upon arrival on a flight from India. This arrest marks the sixth in the case, with two other individuals still at large. Grover has been charged with theft over $5,000 and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. He is also facing firearm-related charges in the United States.
The 2023 heist involved 6,600 gold bars valued at over $20 million and $2.5 million in cash stolen from Pearson. In April this year, thirty-seven search warrants were issued along with 70 production orders, resulting in the seizure of $430,000 in Canadian currency. Additionally, police seized six gold bangles for expert examination, believed to be pure gold and valued at over $89,000. Smelting pots, casts, and molds were also seized during the investigation. Nine individuals have been identified in connection with the case, with arrests made, charges laid, or Canada-wide warrants issued.
Among those charged in connection with the heist are Parmpal Sidhu, a 54-year-old Air Canada employee, Ali Raza, a 37-year-old jewelry store owner from Toronto, Amit Jalota, a 40-year-old man from Oakville, Ammad Chaudhary, a 43-year-old man from Georgetown, and Prasath Paramalingam, a 35-year-old man from Brampton. Canada-wide arrest warrants have also been issued for Simran Preet Panesar, a 31-year-old former Air Canada employee from Brampton, and Arsalan Chaudhary, a 42-year-old man from Mississauga. The driver who allegedly stole the cargo, Durante King-Mclean, was stopped by Pennsylvania police in a rental vehicle in September 2023 and arrested on firearms trafficking-related charges.
This high-profile case made international headlines at the time of the heist, sparking an extensive investigation by Peel Regional Police. The collaboration between Canadian authorities and the Philadelphia Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives led to multiple arrests and charges in connection with the theft. The ongoing investigation has resulted in the seizure of significant amounts of Canadian currency and other valuable items linked to the heist. Authorities are urging the remaining individuals connected to the case to seek legal counsel and turn themselves in to police.
The arrests and charges in this case highlight the serious consequences of involvement in large-scale theft and conspiracy offenses. The individuals arrested and charged are facing significant legal consequences both in Canada and the United States. The recovery of stolen items and the progress made in the investigation demonstrate the determination of law enforcement to hold those responsible for the heist accountable. The involvement of individuals with various backgrounds, including airline employees and jewelry store owners, underscores the complexity of the case and the diverse roles played in the execution of the crime.
The successful collaboration between law enforcement agencies in Canada and the United States has resulted in a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the largest gold heist in Canadian history. The arrests and charges laid against multiple individuals involved in the theft indicate progress in holding those responsible accountable. The recovery of stolen items, the seizure of valuable assets, and the ongoing search for remaining suspects demonstrate the commitment of authorities to pursue justice in this high-profile case. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on apprehending all individuals connected to the heist and bringing them to face the appropriate legal consequences for their actions.
