Cambridge ice cream theft leads to charges, police search for third suspect

The Waterloo Regional Police Service has made an arrest and they are looking for more suspects after a major ice cream theft in Cambridge.

The Waterloo Regional Police Service has laid charges after dozens of tubs of ice cream and other merchandise were stolen from a longtime Cambridge, Ont. eatery earlier this month.

L.A. Frank’s owner Russ Thomas previously told CTV News he arrived at the business around 7 a.m. on May 3 to discover the back door of a storage shed had been cut open.

Thomas said the suspects appeared to have used a battery-powered grinder to cut through locking bolts before making off with between 25 and 30 tubs of ice cream, along with pop, water, oil and small equipment.

“It’s ice cream, you know, let’s face it, it’s not that big of a deal, but theft is theft,” Thomas said on Tuesday.

The Waterloo Regional Police said investigators determined roughly $1,600 worth of soda and ice cream was stolen. Police also estimate the break-in caused about $500 in property damage.

Despite the loss, Thomas said the Cambridge community quickly rallied around the business.

“We’ve had a lot of customer support, a lot of feedback. People coming down and supporting,” he said.

Police announced Tuesday that a 38-year-old Cambridge man has been arrested and charged with several offences, including disguise with intent, break and enter, three counts of theft under $5,000, mischief under $5,000 and three counts of possession of property obtained by crime.

Investigators have also issued an arrest warrant for a 45-year-old Cambridge man on charges including break and enter, theft under $5,000, mischief under $5,000 and failing to comply with a judicial order.

Police are also searching for a third suspect. Investigators released photos of the individual, who is described as a white man last seen wearing a dark jacket with white trim, military-style pants and a dark toque with a white crest.

Thomas said one question still lingers after the unusual theft.

“I guess the big question for me is, ‘What did you do with all the ice cream?’ That’s what people have been asking me,” he said. “I don’t believe it’s something that they stole to sell. Maybe it’s floating down the river. Maybe they got sore tummies.”

Since the theft, Thomas said damaged locks have been replaced and security cameras continue rolling as staff work to move forward.

He also credited Shaw’s Ice Cream in Tillsonburg for helping the business recover.

“I do want to say one thing with Shaw’s Ice Cream, Kelly and her team down in Tillsonburg, they have generously reached out to us and they’ve helped out some of the matters,” Thomas said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterloo Regional Police at 519-570-9777 ext. 2299.