Body found in hockey bag in Uxbridge pond ID'd as missing Toronto man, Ariel Kaplan

When Ariel Kaplan was reported missing last summer, Toronto Police said there were fears for his safety.

On Tuesday, police in Durham Region confirmed that the Toronto man’s body has been found in a hockey bag floating in a pond in rural Uxbridge.

A homeowner in the area of Concession Road 6 and Allbright Rd. found the bag on May 10 around 2:40 p.m. and called police.

An autopsy confirmed that the remains are Kaplan. His cause of death has not been released.

Kaplan, 32, was known to police. The Thornhill man was arrested after a tractor trailer full of items valued at more than $243,000 was stolen in May 2021 in the Steeles Ave. E. and Highway 410.

The truck contained cases of bottled juice, home appliances and motor oil and was recovered at a Brampton warehouse.

Kaplan, was charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000. He went missing three months later, prior to the case being resolved.

An extensive ground and water search was conducted in Uxbridge by the Durham Regional Police Public Safety Unit and the York Regional Police dive team.

Investigators hope to speak with anyone who spoke with or saw Kaplan prior to his disappearance in August 2021.

Anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5444.