Ottawa Police Service has laid 61 charges against a 45-year-old man after a string of break and enter thefts targeting mainly businesses in the Vanier and Overbrook areas. The police investigation commenced in February after a series of robberies took place in adjacent commercial units. Since February, up to 20 more break-ins occurred – some at the same businesses. Police say charges include multiple counts of break and enter, mischief, possession of break-in instruments and breaches of probation. The suspect will be held in custody until a bail hearing next week.
Ontario Provincial Police pulled over a vehicle for a Highway Traffic Act violation earlier this week in Tay Valley Township. The area was near construction sites that had reported theft of electrical cable. Police searched the trunk and allegedly found over $5000.00 worth of stolen electrical cable and arrested and charged the occupants with theft over $5000.00. Police say there is a national trend of theft of cables for the valuable copper content with broadcasting giants like Bell and Rogers reporting thousands of thefts of their property annually. A bill is making its way through the House of Commons to make it illegal for scrap dealers to resell stolen scrap metal with a fine of up to $10 000.00 and up to two years in jail.
Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs addressed inappropriate actions taken by OPS officers. Stubbs is seen in a video urging officers to follow appropriate rules and codes of conduct or quit the force. Stubbs has also addressed recent allegations of sexual misconduct in the force and his frustration seemed evident when he told reporters that they are not making any progress, but they are heavily invested in trying to get this right, and learning, and being better, and the force will not stop trying. Mandatory training programs are being instituted to address areas like workplace harassment, violence, equity and inclusion as well as a shift away from a primarily reactive model to a proactive and preventative approach, according to a report for the board. The Police Service is also considering having new-hire officers sign a code of conduct.
