Toronto Police have arrested 12 Chilean nationals in connection with a string of thefts from several local jewelry stores and pawn shops.

Police say the thefts happened earlier this year, with break-ins at a number of GTA businesses. The suspects were arrested over a four-month period, starting last June.

Police say the men often wore disguises, disabled alarms and used tools to open safes to steal large quantities of cash and jewelry. In some instances, the safes were removed completely.

It is believed the men used fake identification to enter Canada through the United States.

In addition to the 12 men charged, Canada-wide warrants have been issued for three other suspects, believed to have fled to Chile.

Const. Victor Kwong said the arrests will put a dent in a major theft ring.

"We do have hundreds of pieces of jewelry that were recovered, along with a quantity of cash," he told CBC News. "We know there will probably be pieces that we will never recover."

The 12 men arrested face charges of breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods and possession of burglary tools.