Chatham-Kent, Ontario: The Chatham-Kent Police Service responded to 155 calls for service in the last 24 hours. Zero people were arrested.
Update Weekend Convenience Store Robberies
On Saturday, October 5, 2024, police responded to two convenience store robberies that occurred in Chatham. The first incident was reported at 7:54 a.m. on Grand Avenue East, followed by another robbery at 2:22 p.m. on Harvey Street. In both instances, the man entered the stores and stole lottery tickets, resorting to violence and brandishing a knife during one of the incidents. The K9 Unit was deployed to the scene.
In a proactive response, the Chatham-Kent Police Service deployed officers to monitor convenience stores throughout Chatham. Officers analyzed video surveillance footage which aided in identifying the man. Further investigation connected him to previous thefts of lottery tickets at a St. Clair Street convenience store on October 3, 2024, and on Queen Street on October 4, 2024.
On October 5, 2024, at approximately 10:00 p.m., the 26-year-old Sarnia man was observed approaching a Richmond Street convenience store and was immediately taken into custody. He was transported to police headquarters and held pending a bail hearing. The man faces multiple charges, including:
– Three counts of Theft Under $5000
– Three counts of Possession of Stolen Property Under $5000
– Three counts of Failing to Comply with Probation
– Robbery with theft
– Robbery with a weapon
– Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
Following the bail hearing, he was remanded into custody and moved to the Southwest Regional Detention Centre, with his next court appearance scheduled for October 8, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. via video.
Lottery tickets are regulated by the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, which has tracing capabilities. Anyone attempting to cash in stolen lottery tickets will face arrest.
Update Weekend Commercial Break and Enters
On October 5, 2024, police responded to four break-and-enter investigations at commercial properties on Indian Creed Road in Chatham. The suspect had forcibly entered these locations, causing over $10,000 in property damage while only managing to steal a small amount of cash. In response, officers canvassed the area and thoroughly reviewed CCTV and surveillance footage from businesses, which enabled them to identify the suspect.
This man had already been identified in a previous commercial break and enter reported on September 30, 2024, on King Street West in Chatham. Further inquiry revealed that the suspect was wanted on a warrant related to a July 23, 2024, fraud investigation, where a stolen wallet had been taken from a vehicle, and the stolen credit cards were subsequently used at several retail locations in Chatham.
At 11:44 a.m., officers successfully located and arrested the 55-year-old Chatham man on King Street East. He was transported to police headquarters and held pending a bail hearing. The suspect now faces numerous charges, including:
– Six counts of Possession of Stolen Property
– Five counts of Unauthorized Use of a Credit Card
– Four counts of Fraud Under $5000
– Three counts of Break & Enter while Wearing a Disguise with Intent to Commit a Criminal Offense
– Theft Under $5000
– Mischief Under $5000
Following the bail hearing, he was remanded into custody and moved to the Southwest Regional Detention Centre, with his next court appearance scheduled for October 8, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. via video.
