Chatham-Kent Police Service officials allege: Chatham-Kent police have laid numerous charges against three individuals following a violent home invasion investigation that led to additional threats against victims and witnesses and culminated in the arrest of a wanted suspect.
On Aug. 10, at approximately 11:44 p.m., police responded to a reported home invasion at a residence in north Chatham. The investigation determined that a group of individuals forcibly entered the occupied residence after kicking in the front door. Once inside, several occupants were assaulted and personal property was stolen.
During the incident, one victim, a 16-year-old male from Chatham-Kent, was threatened with a knife, while another victim, a 19-year-old Chatham male, was assaulted, choked and threatened with death.
Investigators with the General Investigations Unit and Major Crime Team gathered witness statements and reviewed surveillance footage, leading to the identification of those involved. As a result, charges were laid against multiple adults and youths connected to the incident and efforts began to locate and bring the responsible parties into police custody.
Following the home invasion, police learned that one of the accused contacted a victim through social media on Aug. 13. During the interaction, the accused allegedly threatened to kill the victims and shoot at the residence after becoming aware that police were investigating the home invasion and seeking his arrest.
The following day, on Aug. 14, officers located the wanted accused at a residence in Chatham. Due to information indicating the individual may have been armed, additional resources, including members of the Chatham-Kent Police Service Emergency Response Team, were deployed to safely take the accused into custody. The accused attempted to flee but was arrested without incident.
As a result of the investigation, a 22-year-old man from Chatham is charged with break and enter a dwelling house to commit an indictable offence, armed robbery, assault, disguise with intent, assault causing bodily harm, uttering threats and uttering threats to cause death.
A second 22-year-old man from Chatham is charged with break and enter a dwelling house to commit an indictable offence, armed robbery, assault, disguise with intent, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and two counts of failing to comply with an undertaking.
A 19-year-old woman from Chatham is charged with break and enter a dwelling house to commit an indictable offence, armed robbery and assault, all as a party to the offence.
A 15-year-old girl from Chatham and two 15-year-old boys from Chatham each face the same charges of break and enter a dwelling house to commit an indictable offence, armed robbery and assault, all as a party to the offence.
The Chatham-Kent Police Service says it recognizes the significant impact that home invasions, threats and witness intimidation can have on victims and the community, and remains committed to holding offenders accountable while continuing to pursue those who engage in violence, retaliation or attempts to interfere with criminal investigations.
Anyone with information related to these incidents is encouraged to contact the Chatham-Kent Police Service or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
