Wanted: Prolific break-and-enter suspect tied to temple thefts in GTA

Peel Regional Police have linked a repeat offender to another break-and-enter incident that occurred last fall at a temple in Mississauga.

On Wednesday (Oct. 4) 2023, a break-in occurred at a Hindu temple near Mississauga Road and Alpha Mills Road.

Police say,  surveillance footage captured the suspect entering the temple and making off with a donation box containing a large sum of money.

Authorities have not disclosed the specific amount of money stolen.

After a thorough investigation, detectives have identified the suspect as 41-year-old Jagdish Pandher, of no fixed address.

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Additionally, the accused was previously charged in a similar rash of break-ins back in 2022, police say.

Pandher was hit with 13 charges in March 2022 following over a dozen break-and-enters at temples and other places of worship in the Malton area of Mississauga and Brampton.

In those earlier robberies police say, three men from Brampton gained access into buildings before taking cash from donation boxes.

Police have sought a warrant for Pandher’s arrest for Break and Enter and committing an indictable offense under section 348(1)(b) of the Criminal Code, which involves unlawfully entering a building with the intent to commit a crime punishable by imprisonment.

Anyone with any information on Pandher’s whereabouts is asked to contact the 11 Division Criminal Investigation Bureau at 905-453-2121, extension 1133.  Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.

—With files from Ryan Rumbolt