Suspect linked to $300,000 in LCBO thefts arrested in St. Catharines, Ontario

Police say a man wanted in connection with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of thefts from LCBO stores was arrested in St. Catharines.

Today, Guelph police announced that the arrest occurred following an investigation by the police service, LCBO officials, the CBSA, the OPP’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement squad and other law enforcement organizations. Police say the investigation identified a suspect alleged to have committed more than 100 thefts from LCBO stores in Guelph and other parts of Ontario.

Police allege that on May 5, officers found two men sleeping in a reportedly stolen vehicle in St. Catharines. Guelph and Niagara region officers blocked the car, awakening the people inside. Police allege the driver began driving backwards and forwards, striking both marked and unmarked cruisers. Police say officers broke the suspect vehicle’s windows and arrested the two men.

Police allege both suspects provided fake identification upon arrest.

A 27-year-old man and a 35-year-old man, both of no fixed address, are now facing multiple theft-related charges, including possessing stolen property over $5,000 and breaching court orders. Police say the 27-year-old man was also charged with dangerous driving and has outstanding warrants in 10 other jurisdictions.

“This investigation and the resulting arrests were made possible through the cooperative efforts of our members and partner agencies,” said Police Chief Gord Cobey in a statement.

“This investigation highlights the value to the community of our Break Enter Auto Theft Unit.”

Both males were held for bail hearings in Guelph earlier this week.