A man wanted for a murder committed in Quebec was found because of an Airbnb in Milton.
The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) was investigating the theft of a pickup truck in Georgetown. The officers learned the suspects were staying at an Airbnb in Milton and using a rented Hyundai Elantra to steal vehicles in the area. In the early hours of Thursday, March 2nd, HRPS officers located and arrested three suspects at a gas station in Mississauga.
READ: Public meeting on rise of vehicle thefts in Milton
At the time of the arrest police seized a loaded handgun, a large machete style knife, and tools used in the commission of reprogramming-style vehicle thefts.
An 18-year-old male of Quebec has been charged with:
- Theft of Motor Vehicle
- Possession of Automobile Master Key
- Possession of Break in Instruments
- Possession of Device to Obtain Computer Services
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Careless use of Firearm
- Possession of Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
- Knowledge of Unauthorized Possession of Firearm
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm
- Fail to Comply – Release Order
- Possession of Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order
- Possession of Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000
This suspect was also wanted for First Degree Murder in the province of Quebec.
A 19-year-old male of Quebec has been charged with:
- Theft of Motor Vehicle
- Possession of Automobile Master Key
- Possession of Break in Instruments
- Possession of Device to Obtain Computer Services
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Breach of Prohibition Order
- Breach of Release Order
This suspect was also wanted by the O.P.P. for auto theft related offences.
A 19-year-old male of Quebec has been charged with:
- Theft of Motor Vehicle
- Possession of Automobile Master Key
- Possession of Break in Instruments
- Possession of Device to Obtain Computer Services
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle
- Breach of Release Order (two counts)
This suspect was also wanted by Durham Regional Police for auto theft related offences.
All three suspects were held in custody pending a bail hearing in Milton. Due to the ages of the suspects at the time previous offences were committed, police did not identify any of the accused.
The HRPS is applying significant resources to investigate auto theft occurrences however crime prevention is a shared responsibility. Please call 911 if you witness a crime in progress or if you see suspicious persons/vehicles in your neighbourhood.
There are some measures that residents can take to decrease the chance of the vehicle being stolen:
- Park your vehicle in a locked garage
- Block the exit of a potential target vehicle with a second vehicle parked behind it
- Install and on-board diagnostic blocker/protector
- Install a steering wheel lock device
- Install an aftermarket GPS tracking device
- Install home security cameras on the exterior of the residence
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Regional Auto Theft Task Force at 905-825-4777 ext. 3407.
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.
