Civilian pursuit of Hamilton break and enter suspect leads to couple’s arrest

Hamilton police have charged an out-of-town couple in connection with a string of recent break and entries after one of the suspects was caught and followed by the homeowner whose property he had allegedly just stolen.

Police say the owner of a residence in the area of Queenston Road and Pottruff Road North returned home last Wednesday to a stranger leaving his residence after he'd broken in.

The homeowner followed the suspect to a local motel and contacted police.

Police say the man, who left the motel before police arrived, was later arrested at a pawnshop where he was in the process of selling some property he had recently stolen.

The suspect was found with a large amount of American money, jewelry and identification which did not belong to him.

A search of the man's motel room Thursday led police to discover additional stolen property, including electronic devices belonging to the Waterloo Regional School Board and other items from a separate Hamilton break and enter.

A 33-year-old man of Brantford is charged with two counts of break and enter, four counts of failure to comply release order, possession of stolen property under $5,000, possession of stolen property over $5,000, failure to comply probation, and two counts of adult identity theft.

A 34-year-old Cambridge woman who was found and arrested inside the motel room is charged with one count of failure to comply undertaking.

Sebastian Bron is a Hamilton-based reporter at The Spectator. Reach him via email: sbron@thespec.com