A Markham family was basically burgled, legally, by police
It’s a story that seems ripped from a Canadian Real Estate Association commercial, but, according to the Star, it’s completely true. A Markham family came home to find their house apparently burglarized, with all their electronic devices gone. They called 911, only to be told by the police, “Actually, it was us.”
Can police really break into your suburban mini-mansion and steal all your stuff? The answer, at least in this case, is apparently “yes.” The Star spoke to a Toronto police officer who confirmed that there was a search warrant for the home. It was issued in relation to a Yonge Street stolen-cellphone ring bust in which Sina Ghojehbiglou, a son of the home’s previous occupants, was one of the accused. (The home’s current owners took up residence there in May.) In other words, police had the right address and the right paperwork; the only problem was that their intended target had moved away.
The family has its stuff back, now, but Ramin Rownaghi, the father, says some of it no longer works.
And so, homebuyers take note: between questions about five-piece washrooms and marble kitchen countertops, it might be worthwhile to ask about the criminal records of previous occupants.
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/city/markham-family-burgled-by-police/&title=A Markham family was basically burgled, legally, by police&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/police-car-624x395.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_267370" align="alignnone" width="656"] (Image: William Mewes)[/caption]
It's a story that seems ripped from a Canadian Real Estate Association commercial, but, according to the Star, it's completely true. A Markham family came home to find their house apparently burglarized, with all their electronic devices gone. They called 911, only to be told by the police, "Actually, it was us."
Can police really break into your suburban mini-mansion and steal all your stuff? The answer, at least in this case, is apparently "yes." The Star spoke to a Toronto police officer who confirmed that there was a search warrant for the home. It was issued in relation to a Yonge Street stolen-cellphone ring bust in which Sina Ghojehbiglou, a son of the home's previous occupants, was one of the accused. (The home's current owners took up residence there in May.) In other words, police had the right address and the right paperwork; the only problem was that their intended target had moved away.
The family has its stuff back, now, but Ramin Rownaghi, the father, says some of it no longer works.
And so, homebuyers take note: between questions about five-piece washrooms and marble kitchen countertops, it might be worthwhile to ask about the criminal records of previous occupants.){kind=link}
Interesting. Not a question normally asked when purchasing a home. Grow Ops need to be disclosed as do toxic materials such as asbestos. Now we need to ask about toxic people formally in the house as part of the disclosure.
The police would not disclose this information. Realtors do no have access to Criminal Records or people who have been charged with Criminal offenses.. Realtors do have access, in some locations, to grow house operation records.
Very informative article, especially for landlord to do a proper background check before renting out their units.
I would sue the police.
The search happened the same day Sina was arrested. I guarantee his licence or some piece of ID on him still had his old address on it. I also assume he had stolen stuff and evidence at his real current address , therefore never told police that address was wrong because he knew they would search his residence . So technically the Police are right. There should be a check of address and who the current owners are thou before a warrant can be issued
The people you are buying the house from, you’re allowed to ask them to give their criminal background check. Everyone has access to background check as long the person the check is done on gives permission. if not, buy/rent the house from someone else.