A pair of suspects face numerous more charges following a string of truck thefts in Wallaceburg.
During a press conference held in the former council chambers at the Wallaceburg Municipal Centre, Chief Gary Conn of the Chatham-Kent Police Service outlined the details of the additional charges facing an 18-year-old Munsee-Delaware First Nation man and a 16-year-old Chippewas of the Thames First Nation youth, who were both arrested after a high speed chase on Nov. 3.
Conn said the 18-year-old faces 26 additional charges, and the 16-year-old youth faces an additional 18 charges in the case.
Conn added the two suspects would bring the stolen trucks to a pair of locations outside of Chatham-Kent, which would be used as “chop-shops”, where the vehicles would be stripped down and the parts would be sold.
“Earlier this year, the Chatham-Kent Police Service began seeing an increase in vehicle thefts from the Wallaceburg area,” Conn said. “It quickly became apparent that Chev and GMC trucks were being targeted. As each truck was stolen, our concern for public safety escalated.”
Conn added: “Between August and November, 18 trucks were stolen. 17 of them were recovered in various areas in and outside Chatham-Kent. There were also seven attempt theft of trucks.”
During the press conference, Conn outlined details about the November 3 arrest of the two suspects.
Conn said around 12:25 a.m. officers observed two suspicious men in a Chev Silverado pick-up truck on Old Glass Road. As the officer approach the truck from behind, the driver reversed into the the marked police cruiser, causing $4,000 damage, and both men fled on foot.
Eventually the two suspects were spotted in a stolen GMC Sierra, and slowed down by a tire deflation device on Base Line Road – more details here.
“Our work on this day was not done though,” Conn said. “It was important for us as a police service, committed to serving and protecting the residents of Wallaceburg and everyone here in our community to continue this investigation, to ascertain if there were any links or evidence to suggest that these two individuals were responsible for previous thefts.”
Conn said working in coordination with the Middlesex OPP Street Crimes Unit, both suspects were found responsible for numerous thefts, attempts and other criminal offences in Chatham-Kent:
The 18-year-old was additionally charged with:
– Five counts of theft of a motor vehicle
– Five counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
– Two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
– Two counts of attempt theft of a motor vehicle
– Two counts of failing to comply
– One count of flight from police
– One count of dangerous driving
– One count of drive while disqualified
– One count of break and enter
– One count of theft under $5,000
The 16-year-old young offender was additionally charged with:
– Three counts of theft of a motor vehicle
– Four counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
– Two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
– Two counts of attempt theft of a motor vehicle
– Two counts of failing to comply
– One count of break and enter
Conn said the motives behind the rash of thefts in Wallaceburg, was monetary.
“They were taking the vehicles and taking them to two locations outside of Chatham-Kent, which in essence were acting as chop shops. They were selling the pieces from the stolen vehicles. For example, the tires, the rims, even the air bags. They obtained a substantial amount for the airbags as well.”
Conn said he didn’t want to get into specific details about the thefts or these chop shops.
“To protect the integrity of the investigation I don’t want to get into specific details surrounding the thefts,” he said. “Other jurisdictions are involved. We don’t want to jeopardize the investigation. Unfortunately I can’t provide too many specifics regarding those other locations… I can confirm they were outside of Chatham-Kent.”
Conn said the investigation is on-going.
“We can’t say for certain that these two were the only ones involved in the thefts of motor vehicles, but what we can say that taking a look at the stats, it would certainly suggest that they were the primary parties. We’ve seen a significant decrease in the thefts of motor vehicles since their arrest and detention.”
Conn said the Chatham-Kent Police Service have been working extensively with number of other police agencies, including: the OPP Middlesex Street Crimes Unit, the London Police Department, First Nations police including Walpole Island.
Conn said the reason for the delay in releasing this information was two-fold.
He said the police wanted to review the trucks involved with the thefts to ensure they pursued all applicable charges, and they also did not want to impede with the investigations of other police agencies involved with this particular case.
“I am extremely proud of all the officers and civilian support staff who worked collaboratively to ensure a successful conclusion in respect to the arrest and charges of these two individuals,” Conn said. “As one can appreciate, a lot of work goes into projects of this magnitude and once again congratulations to all involved.”
Both suspects are set to appear in a Chatham courtroom on Wednesday, Dec. 23 for a video remand.
