Police arrest man wanted in connection with over $75K in stolen tools, construction equipment

An image of seized suspected stolen property including bicycles, power tools, and more (Source: Sarnia Police Service)

On Feb. 27 at 2:00 p.m., Sarnia police say that they attended a residence on Cobden Street to assist the OPP ROPE squad with the arrest of a 42-year-old man.

According to police, the man was wanted on multiple charges related to violence, property, weapons, and failing to comply with bail release conditions.

Police say that the man refused to exit the residence.

Through negotiation, the man surrendered himself half an hour later and was taken into custody.

His charges stem from an investigation that Sarnia police conducted into a series of vehicle thefts. Police say that they traced the stolen property back to where it was being sold or traded, identifying several people responsible.

On Feb. 25, police saw a stolen Kubota skid steer at a Cobden Street residence being loaded onto a trailer, towed by a U-Haul. Police stopped the trailer a short time later and one man fled the vehicle on foot, and was arrested several blocks away with assistance of a K9 team member.

Two other suspects who remained with the vehicle were arrested for possession of stolen property.

Police recovered the skid steer, worth roughly $75,000. It was stolen from a local construction site on Feb. 22.

Police also seized 13.9 grams of methamphetamine and $2,400 of Canadian currency, as well as digital scales from inside the U-Haul.

A search of a Cobden Street residence a couple of hours later resulted in a large cache of stolen property being recovered by police, which is believed to have been stolen from a local business - including bikes, power tools, and toys.

A 33-year-old woman, 70-year-old man, and 55-year-old man were charged. An arrest warrant was issued at that time for the 42-year-old man arrested on Thursday.

Members of the group face a variety of charges including possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of property obtained by crime for the purpose of trafficking.

The investigation is ongoing, and police are working to identify the rightful owners of the suspected stolen property. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sarnia police.