Suspects in Greztky theft were known to the family!

Earlier on Tuesday, Brampton Police have announced that they’ve recovered stolen game-worn items and memorabilia stolen from Wayne Gretzky’s father Walter Gretzky.

“On behalf of our family, I would like to thank the Brantford Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for everything they have done regarding this investigation,” Glen Gretzky, Wayne’s brother, said in a statement.

Back in August Brampton Police announced that a number of Wayne’s game-worn jerseys, gloves, sticks and even Hart Trophy replica had been stolen from the home of 82 year old Walter. After a three month investigation the Brampton Police, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have not only recovered over $500,000 worth of items, but they’ve also made some arrests in the case as well. Brampton Police have arrested and charged two 58 year old suspects, one male and one female, in connection with the thefts. 

While police have yet to identify the 58-year-old man from Oakville and the 58-year-old woman from Brockville who have been arrested, perhaps out of concern for their safety, the Hockey News just added some crucial information to the case, revealing that both suspects “have been known to the Gretzky family for quite some time and, unknown to them, have been accumulating items over the years.”

“One source with knowledge of the situation said the woman who was charged contacted a memorabilia dealer offering to sell a stick from Wayne’s childhood that she claimed had been give to her by Walter. The stick, which was reportedly purchased for $6,000, was tracked down by authorities and the person who purchased it was questioned by police.”

The Hockey News also made a point of explaining Walter Gretzky’s character and how wrong it is for these two people, whom he probably trusted, to have robbed him.

“He’s the kind of person who prefers to see the good in everyone, and wouldn’t hesitate for a minute to open his home and his heart to people. And that’s what makes this all so troubling. If Walter had simply wanted to make money, he could have sold any number of his son’s artifacts for ridiculous sums. But he chose to keep it, likely because he saw it as something of a public trust. Wayne Gretzky’s dad could have retreated out of the public eye a long time ago and nobody would have blamed him.”

Earlier this year, Wayne Gretzky even admitted that he was very worried about his father’s health amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Walter Gretzky was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2012. Wayne had to stay away in California to keep his father safe. 

And these people added this to the mix. How dare them!