Two youths were arrested by the Halton Regional Police Service on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, for their involvement in a GTA crime spree, spanning multiple jurisdictions including Oakville. The investigation is continuing in order to identify other suspects related to these incidents.
On July 19, 2017, the Halton Regional Police Service commenced an investigation into a group of youths committing thefts at various community centres located throughout the GTA. This included centres located in Halton Hills and Oakville, where they broke into lockers and stole personal property, including car keys. They then attended the parking lots using the car keys to steal the victim's vehicles. Subsequently, the stolen cars were used to commit multiple daytime residential break and enters.
On July 19, 2017, the co-accused were alleged to have entered several unlocked lockers at the Gellert Community Centre in Georgetown, ON. The youths then stole a Honda CRV and a Kia Sorento from the adjacent parking lot.
On August 4, 2017, these individuals were also alleged to have stolen an Acura CSX after breaking into a locker at the Glen Abbey Community Centre in the Town of Oakville.
The Halton Regional Police Service began working in partnership with the Peel Regional Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, Hamilton Police Service, York Regional Police Service, and the Barrie Police Service, in an effort to identify the suspects.
"Our GTA communities may vary in identity and demographics, however geographic boundaries are irrelevant to criminals. The commitment of neighbouring police services to work together behind the scenes to investigate and eliminate crimes such as this is a testament to the strength in relationships we have across our policing community," stated Deputy Chief Nish Duraiappah.
Regarding the GTA Crime Spree the following have been charged:
17-year-old Brampton male
- Theft of a Motor Vehicle x 5 (1 Hamilton Police Service charge; 4 HRPS charges - 2 Oakville, 2 Halton Hills)
- Theft Under $5,000 (HRPS charge – Oakville)
- Break and Enter x 3 (HRPS charges – Oakville)
14-year-old Brampton male
- Theft of a Motor Vehicle x 4 (1 Hamilton Police Service charge, 3 HRPS charges - 2 Oakville, 1 Halton Hills)
- Theft Under $5,000 (HRPS charge - Oakville)
- Break and Enter x 3 (HRPS charge - Oakville)
How to report addition information on the GTA Crime Spree
Anyone with information regarding this GTA crime spree is asked to contact the 2 District (Oakville), Criminal Investigations Bureau, Detective Matt Kohler, at 905-825-4747 ext. 2261, or Detective Constable Simon Burden of the 1 District (Halton Hills), Criminal Investigation Bureau, may also be contacted at 905-825-4747 ext. 2116.
Also tips can be forwarded to Crime Stoppers; "See Something, Hear Something, Say Something" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.crimestoppers.ca or by texting "Tip201" with your message to 274637 (crimes).