Hamilton man charged in ‘lengthy crime spree’ involving stolen cars and business break-ins
A 43-year-old Hamilton man is facing charges in what police say is a lengthy crime spree involving several stolen vehicles and a rash of commercial break-ins in the city since late October.
Hamilton police said they arrested the man leaving an east Hamilton residence Dec. 8. He remains in custody.
The alleged crime spree began Oct. 26 when a Pontiac Vibe was stolen in the east end, police said.
That stolen vehicle was then used the next day during an entry at a hair salon on the east Mountain where a cash register was stolen. In both cases, there was a lone male suspect.
On Oct. 29, police allege the same stolen vehicle was used in a second entry at a Waterdown restaurant where cash was stolen from the register, police said. The Pontiac Vibe was later recovered by police.
On Nov. 14, a 2019 Volvo XC90 - valued at $70,000 - was stolen from a parking lot in Ancaster. Police allege a man was captured on surveillance video two days later getting out of the stolen car in a parking lot. Police recovered that stolen car too.
Then on Dec. 4, an unlocked, grey, 2007 Lexus ES 350 - valued at $9,000 - was stolen from a dealership in the east end. Police allege the stolen car was used later that night when a man tried to gain entry into a lighting store on Rymal Road, but fled after being confronted by the owner.
From there, police allege the man drove the stolen Lexus to a gas station in Flamborough, where the glass doors were smashed and cash and merchandise were stolen.
The next day, police allege the man broke into another lighting store in Stoney Creek, stole the cash register and fled in the stolen Lexus. He then allegedly continued to a window installation business in Stoney Creek, but was confronted by the business owner as he tried to smash open the doors.
Again the man fled in the stolen Lexus, police said. Later on the morning of Dec. 5, police allege he smashed the glass doors and stole cash and merchandise at a variety store on the west Mountain.
Police located the stolen Lexus Dec. 7 and a suspect was identified and arrested the next day.
A 43-year-old Hamilton man is charged with five counts of break and enter commit theft, three counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000, two counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000, two counts of theft under $5,000, theft over $5,000, break and enter with intent, drive while disqualified and 11 counts of failing to comply with a probation order.
Nicole O'Reilly is a Hamilton-based reporter covering crime and justice for The Spectator. Reach her via email: noreilly@thespec.com