Over $10K in stolen tools ends in police chase and charges for Brampton men

What started as an investigation into multiple high-value tool thefts ended in a police chase and charges for four men including two from Brampton.

Police were first alerted to the string of break-ins shortly before 5 a.m. on Friday at a building centre on Muskoka Road 169 in Gravenhurst.

The OPP says suspects broke in and stole approximately $10,000.00 worth of tools and fled the scene in a white panel van.

Then on Monday around 1:45 a.m., police received a call from a building centre located on Wellington Street in Bracebridge reporting another break-in where “a significant quantity of tools had been stolen.”

Around the time of the second break-in, an officer with the Bracebridge OPP was on patrol on Wellington Street when they spotted the suspect van.

Police tried pulling the vehicle over but say the driver exited onto Highway 11 heading southbound.

Officers gave chase and stopped the vehicle where stolen property was recovered. Four occupants were arrested and charged with multiple offences, police say.

Balkar Singh Mann, 35, of Brampton, has been charged with:

• Two counts of break and enter.
• Two counts of theft over $5,000.
• Assault a peace officer with a weapon.
• Flight from peace officer.
• Dangerous operation.
• Failure to stop after accident.
• Operation while prohibited.
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
• Failure to comply with undertaking.
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Nitish Rathee, 23, of Brampton, has been charged with:

• Two counts of break and enter.
• Two counts of heft over $5,000.
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000

Manpreet Singh, 29, of Halton Hills, has been charged with:

• Two counts of break and enter.
• Two counts of theft over $5,000.
• Poss of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000.
• Failure to comply with release order.
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

Manpreet Singh, 26, of Palgrave, has been charged with:

• Two counts of theft over $5,000.
• Possession property obtained by crime over $5,000.
• Possession property obtained by crime under $5000.
• Break and enter.
• Failure to comply with undertaking.
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000

All four of the accused have been held for a bail hearing in Bracebridge on Dec. 30, police say.

Anyone with information about this incident can contact the OPP by calling 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips may also be provided to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca.

When you contact Crime Stoppers you stay anonymous, never have to testify, and could receive a $2,000 reward.