The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) has arrested four suspects in a theft case.
On Thursday, May 12th, the HRPS responded to an address in the area of Ontario Street North and Woodward Avenue in Milton for reports of a group of suspects stealing catalytic converters from multiple vehicles in a parking lot. The suspects were seen entering a vehicle and leaving the parking lot.
Officers attended the area and found the suspects’ vehicle. Four were arrested without incident. Investigators later obtained judicial authorization to search the vehicle which led to the recovery of four catalytic converters, as well as a floor jack and a reciprocating saw.
A 25-year-old male from Toronto was charged with:
- Theft Under $5000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (3 counts)
- Possession of Break-in Instruments
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking (2 counts)
A 26-year-old from Scarborough was charged with:
- Theft Under $5000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (3 counts)
- Possession of Break-in Instruments
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking
A 23-year-old from Scarborough was charged with:
- Theft Under $5000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (3 counts)
- Possession of Break-in Instruments
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking
A 16-year-old from Scarborough was charged with:
- Theft Under $5000
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 (3 counts)
- Possession of Break-in Instruments
The adult offenders were held for bail and the 16-year-old was released on an Undertaking.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Detective Constable James Walsh the 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2422.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
The following tips have been provided by the HRPS to try and reduce the risk of being the victim of this type of theft:
- Vehicles should be parked in locked, well-lit areas whenever possible
- Park your vehicle in a way that makes it harder to access its underside (for example, against a wall or by other vehicles)
- Vehicle alarms and CCTV cameras can also act as a deterrent to thieves
