2 teens charged after $43K in stolen property recovered

Stolen property recovered by police in March 2026 following a months-long investigation. (Source: Grey Bruce OPP)

Two teenagers are facing multiple charges following several break and enters and thefts of items such as chainsaws, power tools and firearms over an eight month period.

Since August 2025, several businesses and residents in Meaford, Grey Highlands and Southgate Township reported being the victim of break and enters and thefts, according to a news release from Grey Bruce OPP.

In the early morning hours of March 24, Grey Bruce OPP frontline members responded to an incident that led them to a business on Bell Circle in Dundalk. Officers located suspected stolen property at the location, and the Grey Bruce Community Street Crime Unit (CSCU) was notified.

A building on the 7th Line in Meaford was also identified as being accessible to the suspects.

While police were holding the scene in Dundalk, a suspect attended the business and was arrested by Grey Bruce CSCU and frontline officers.

Search warrants were executed later that day at both locations:

• A business on Bell Circle in Dundalk: Officers located and seized a significant quantity of stolen power tools, chainsaws, and a .22 calibre semi‑automatic rifle
• A building on the 7th Line in Meaford: Officers located and seized additional stolen property including power tools, chainsaws, and a welder

In total, the recovered property had an estimated value of $43,000.

Police say most of the recovered items have since been linked to their rightful owners, who have been identified and contacted.

As a result of the investigation, a 19-year-old male from Grey Highlands has been arrested and charged with the following offences:

• Careless storage of a firearm
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Possession of a firearm obtained by crime
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (three counts)

The accused was held for a bail hearing on March 25 in the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound and was released on a court order.

In addition, an 18-year-old male from Grey Highlands was also arrested and charged with the following offences:

• Careless storage of a firearm
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Knowledge of unauthorized possession of a firearm
• Possession of a firearm obtained by crime
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (two counts)

The accused was held for a bail hearing on March 27 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Owen Sound.

The investigation remains ongoing.