Break-ins target Essex County foreign farm workers

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Dozens of devastated migrant workers are dealing with the loss of passports, work permits, cash, and even presents for their children after a string of break-ins at commercial farms in Essex County. 

The burglaries began about a month ago, just as the workers were packing up to return to their home countries with their earnings after labouring at local farms and greenhouses, the Star has learned. 

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“The end of the season is approaching, so it is when the workers most likely will have more money, more coins and bills in their luggage,” Rodrigo Baez, the Consul of Mexico in Leamington, told the Windsor Star. “They’re about to go back to Mexico. So, sadly, it was the worst moment to do that because it is when they have all their savings.” 

Essex County OPP confirmed they are investigating a series of thefts at bunkhouses for temporary foreign workers. 

Const. Steven Duguay told the Star that police received reports of break-ins to bunkhouses at four different locations in October. Multiple people live in each bunkhouse.  

Police said the break-and-enters all happened during the day while the victims were out working.  

“We’re still looking into each break and enter individually,” said Duguay. “At this time, we don’t have anything to say they’re linked. However, they do show some similarities.” 

Duguay said he could not confirm how many victims there were, adding it’s possible that not everyone has come forward.  

Baez said he is aware of roughly 30 victims. But he added those are only the Mexicans that his consulate has heard from. Duguay said workers of other nationalities were affected. 

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Baez also suggested it’s likely not everyone has come forward. 

“These are approximate numbers because some of haven’t approached the consulate, some of them are not Mexican,” he said. “That’s our best estimate.” 

While cash seemed to be the main target, Baez said it wasn’t the only thing that was stolen. Passports, work permits, clothes, computers and other belongings were also taken. 

Baez said the consulate has been helping the workers who need it to provide police reports and get new passports so they can return home as planned. 

“Some of them had their suitcases already packed and ready to go to Mexico,” said Baez. “So in some cases, all the suitcase was stolen with clothes and their property.” 

He said most of the workers stuff as much as they can into one or two suitcases to avoid the cost of bringing extra luggage on the plane. 

“Many of them packed presents for their families in those suitcases, for their kids who they haven’t seen in a long time,” said Baez. “And the money, of course, is crucial for them. If they got their credit card or debit card stolen, they don’t lose their money but it’s difficult to get another card on time, or maybe they’ll get it when they come back to Canada next year.” 

Baez said the consulate is asking the farms to beef up security, while urging the workers to make sure they lock their doors and keep their belongings secure. 

“It’s not the first time it’s happened,” he said. “It has happened in the past, and we just want to try to avoid it happening again.” 

Anyone with information about the break-ins can call Leamington OPP at 1-888-310-1122. 

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