$20M worth of gold and other 'high value' items stolen from Pearson airport, police say

Police are investigating the theft of a "high value container"carrying gold and other valuable items worth an estimated$20 millionfrom Toronto's Pearson Airport.

The container arrived on a plane early Monday evening,Insp. Stephen Duivesteyn, spokesperson for Peel Regional Police, told reporters at a news conference on Thursday.

Duivesteyndid not name the airline and declined to say where the plane arrived from, adding it could jeopardize the investigation.

He did say the plane wasunloaded according tonormal procedure and its cargo taken to an airport holding facility before it was "removed by illegal means."

The theft was reported shortly after it was discovered, he said. No one has been arrested.

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Police speak after $20M worth of gold, other items stolen in 'very rare' heist

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Speaking at a news conference Thursday evening, Peel Regional Police said $20 million worth of gold and other high value items were stolen after being offloaded from a plane earlier this week at Toronto's Pearson Airport.

In a statement to CBC News, The Greater Toronto Airports Authority,which runs the airport, said the thieves accessed the public side of a warehouse leased to a third party, and that the area is outside of its primary security line.

"This did not involve access to Toronto Pearson itself and did not pose a threat to passengers or GTAA staff," the authority said.

As for who is behind the theft,Duivesteyn said he would notcall it a professional job at this time, but added the investigation is ongoing.

"We feel this to be an isolated incident," he said. "Therefore, for the travelling public that are concerned about comingand flying out, they should have no concern. We do not consider this to be a public safety matter."

Duivesteyn said there are no disruptions to airport operations and there are no concerns for travel safety.

"This is very rare," he added.

Police do not yet know where the gold was headed or if it is still in the country, he said.

No suspect information has been released.

WATCH | The container arrived on a plane early Monday evening:

$20M in gold, other valuables stolen from Toronto airport

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Duration 2:34