Markham Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Jewelry Store Thefts Across Southern Ontario

A Markham man, 21-year-old Diego Dini, has pleaded guilty to four charges of theft over $5,000 and a single count of theft under $5,000 in connection with several jewelry store thefts across southern Ontario. The incidents occurred over a two-day period in November 2024, targeting stores in Niagara, Stratford, Kitchener, and Hamilton. Dini will learn his fate in August after a presentence report is prepared.

Key Takeaways:

• Dini pleaded guilty to four charges of theft over $5,000 and a single count of theft under $5,000.
• The thefts occurred over a two-day period in November 2024 in stores in Niagara, Stratford, Kitchener, and Hamilton.
• Dini targeted jewelry stores by telling employees he was interested in purchasing a gold chain, allowing him to snatch items and flee the scene.
• A single theft at a Hamilton mall resulted in over $7,400 worth of stolen items, while a theft at Kavar Jewellers in St. Catharines yielded $3,500 in gold chain.
• None of the stolen jewelry was recovered.
• Dini's arrest was linked to an investigation following a robbery attempt at a Costco store in British Columbia, where staff thwarted his attempt to steal a display of bracelets valued at almost $15,000.
• An investigation in Ontario subsequently connected Dini to similar thefts in Niagara and elsewhere in the province.

Statistics:

• $7,400: Total value of stolen items in a single theft at a Hamilton mall.
• $3,500: Value of a gold chain stolen from Kavar Jewellers in St. Catharines.
• $15,000: Approximate value of a display of bracelets targeted in a robbery attempt at a Costco store in British Columbia.
• 34 minutes: Time between thefts at Kavar Jewellers and Tianna's Jewellers in Welland.
• 2 days: Duration of the theft spree in November 2024.

Sources:

• Niagara Falls Review, "Markham man to learn fate in August after pleading guilty to multiple jewelry store thefts"