CANADA NEWS – In a recent incident east of Toronto, four individuals allegedly stole jewelry worth a staggering quarter of a million dollars during their stay at an Airbnb property. Durham police reported that the theft took place on the night of October 10, with the suspects checking out the following day. The property, located near Cove and West Beach roads, was left in disarray when the owner returned, only to find that the valuable jewelry collection was missing.
According to police, the suspects—three men and one woman—had booked the Airbnb for the night and seemed to have carefully planned the heist. Upon discovering the theft, the owner quickly contacted authorities, who arrived at the scene shortly after noon on October 11. A thorough investigation led officers to search the surrounding area, where they managed to locate the four suspects still in possession of the stolen jewelry.
The four individuals arrested have been identified as Nicole Bobbi Herdsman, 35, who has no fixed address; Marc Dominique Nicholas, 41, and John Weir, 38, both from Clarington; and Roderick Richard Ayre, 37, from Oshawa. All four face charges of possession of property obtained by crime and theft over $5,000. The arrest of these suspects quickly unraveled more criminal activity, as Herdsman and Weir were also found in possession of cocaine, which resulted in additional charges.
While most of the suspects were released with an undertaking, Roderick Ayre was held for a bail hearing. The swift police response and arrest of the group were instrumental in recovering the stolen items, though the case continues to raise questions about the use of Airbnb properties for criminal activities.
The theft has sent shockwaves through the quiet neighborhood, with many locals expressing concern about the increasing misuse of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb. For now, the focus remains on bringing justice to the property owner, who was left with significant financial loss after the suspects’ overnight stay.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the case, urging anyone with further information to step forward. Durham police have requested that individuals who may have seen suspicious activity around the Airbnb property or have any knowledge of the theft contact Const. Torti or Const. Hoevenaars of East Division. Crime Stoppers is also accepting anonymous tips as they work to piece together the full scope of the crime.
With the suspects now facing serious charges, the legal proceedings are set to unfold in the coming weeks. As cases like this highlight vulnerabilities within the Airbnb system, questions are being raised about what more can be done to ensure the safety and security of hosts and their properties.
