Thieves take cash and other items after breaking into Buddhist temple in Mississauga

Three men who broke into a Buddhist temple in Mississauga and damaged the property before fleeing with an unknown amount of cash are being sought by police.

Peel Regional Police say the place of worship, reportedly the West End Buddhist Temple and Meditation Centre located at Cawthra Road and Silver Creek Boulevard, just north of Dundas Street East, was targeted by the culprits on Saturday, Sept. 9 just after noon.

According to investigators, the men stole “an amount of Canadian currency along with other items” and also caused physical damage to the property.

They fled the scene in a black Hyundai Sante Fe, believed to be a 2010 or slightly later model (see photo below).

The culprits are further described as Middle Eastern, in their early 30s and standing between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10 (see photos below).

The first was wearing an orange/tan baseball hat, grey hooded jacket with a black horizontal stripe, grey sweat pants and black running shoes with white soles.

The second wore a black baseball cap, black facemask, black leather jacket, black pants and black running shoes.

The third man was wearing a black baseball cap, white facemask, black T-shirt with decal on left breast, black pants and black shoes with white soles.

Anyone with information is urged to call police at 905-453-3311, ext. 1233, or Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

Police didn’t say if they believe the Mississauga break-in is connected to a rash of similar incidents over the summer in York.

York Regional Police are on the hunt for at least four culprits who’ve been targeting places of worship there, specifically Buddhist temples and associated properties.

Those break-ins and thefts took place between July 21 and Sept. 3 and the men York police are looking for are also described as being in their 30s, possibly as old as 40.

A dark-coloured SUV is also one of the suspect vehicles in the York incidents.

Map shows location of Mississauga break-in. (Google Maps)

(All photos: Peel Regional Police)