ONTARIO’S Durham Regional Police announced on Thursday that they had identified the suspect of multiple break-and-enters at Hindu temples.

Jagdish Pandher, 41, of Brampton is facing charges for numerous offences including four counts of break-and-enter place other than dwelling, four counts of possess property obtained by crime under $5,000; one count of break-and-enter with intenet, and five counts of breach of probation.

He was held for a bail hearing.

On Sunday, October 8, at approximately 12:45 a.m., members of West Division responded to reports of a break-and-enter in progress at a Hindu temple in the area of Bayly Street and Krosno Boulevard in Pickering. A male was seen on security surveillance breaking into the temple and taking a large quantity of cash from the donation boxes. The male fled the area prior to police arrival. The male was seen on surveillance footage later that morning committing additional break-and-enters at Hindu temples in Pickering and Ajax.

Investigators have linked the same suspect to numerous other break-and-enters at Hindu temples throughout the year. These break-and-enters occurred in Durham Region and around the Greater Toronto Area.

Although these offences occurred at places of worship, they do not appear to be hate crimes or motivated by hate, police said.

Anyone that has any information about these incidents is asked to contact Detective Constable Aselton of the West Division Property Crimes Unit at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 2535.

Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca and tipsters may be eligible for a $2,000 cash reward.