Pervy Hamilton prowler’s take: jewelery, electronics & lingerie

(Updated)

Hamilton police have made an arrest following what investigators describe as a disturbing series of break-ins.

A four-month investigation ended with police recovering more than $200,000 in stolen property, including electronics, jewelry, and 150 pairs of women’s undergarments.

That’s what police discovered hidden in the closet of a home on Weir Street South.

On Thursday, police arrested Alexander Dzonov after an investigation into a series of break-ins in Hamilton’s east end and mountain.

Hamilton Police Staff Sergeant Glenn Jarvie says the pattern of stolen undergarments helped them find their suspect: “I know it is disturbing and that was one of the considerations that we had when were doing the investigation and that is what brought it to the forefront. It was one of the items along with the modus operandi of the accused that identified the pattern between the entries.”

Dzonov is facing several charges including six counts of break and enter, but police say the man is also a suspect in more than 20 other break-ins.

In most cases, homes were targeted during the day.

Hamilton Police Detective Constable Frank de Vuono: “From what we do know, he usually targeted residences when nobody was home, so there was never any violence or confrontations.”

Police say it’s rare to have recovered so many items from one location at one time.

One of the more expensive items on display was a Cartier bracelet, which police estimate to be valued at more than $30,000.

de Vuono: “A lot of the same property was targeted, so jewelry, electronics, undergarments. As well as geographically, a lot of them seem to be concentrated in the same area although restricted to the east end and the mountain.”

Police say Dzonov is known to police, but would not elaborate.

According to court documents, Dzonov had previously been charged with theft and voyeurism in 2013.

Dzonov is currently being held in custody for a bail hearing.

For now, detectives are hoping to identify and reunite the stolen items with their owners.

Jarvie: “Some of these have been passed down from family to family from generation to generation and no matter how much monetary value you put on it could never replace the sentimental value.”

Police say they will be meeting with potential victims this week and hope others will come forward.

Anyone who believes their home was broken into is asked to call detective Frank de Vuono at <905-546-2406>

Additional video: News Now coverage of Hamilton Police Det-Sgt Glenn Jarvie’s media conference: