POLICE ARREST FOUR EARLY TODAY AFTER HOME BUILDING CENTRE BREAK-INS THIS WEEKEND

BRACEBRIDGE — Four men suspected stealing more than $10,000 in Muskoka building supply equipment were in bail court here this morning after being stopped Friday near Orillia.

Police say they charged them in a series of break and enters since Friday.

On December 27, at 4:45 a.m., officers were dispatched to a break and enter at the Home Building Centre located on Muskoka Road 169 in Gravenhurst.

Suspects broke in and, say police, with efficiency, stole approximately $10,000 worth of tools and left in a large white panel van.

A van police say was used in the Gravenhurst theft Friday was spotted early this morning in Bracebridge. Officers pursued it before it was stopped by OPP in Orillia a short time later. Photo OPP

Earlier this morning, at 1:40 a.m., an officer in Bracebridge was conducting proactive patrols on Wellington Street and recognized an eastbound vehicle matching the description of the one used in Friday’s break-in.

The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop and the driver failed to top as directed, continuing onto Highway 11 South.

With the assistance of additional officers, including several officers from Orillia detachment, the vehicle was successfully stopped on Highway 11 South near Highway 12 in Orillia and the four occupants were taken into custody.

Simultaneously, at 1:45 a.m. Bracebridge OPP officers received a call for service from the Muskoka Lumber Building Centre on Wellington Street in Bracebridge, reporting that there had been a break and enter, and a significant quantity of tools had been stolen.

Police arrested four men after stopping the van, charging them with theft at the Home Building Centre in Gravenhurst and the Muskoka Lumber Building Centre in Bracebridge. Photos OPP

Police arrested and charged the following individuals:

  • Balkar Singh MANN, 35 years-old of Brampton:

Assault a Peace Officer with a weapon CC 270.01(1)(a)

Flight from Peace Officer CC 320.17

Dangerous Operation CC 320.13(1)

Failure to stop after accident CC 320.16(1)

Operation while prohibited CC 320.18(1)(a)

Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 CC 354(1)(a) X 2

Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 CC 354(1)(a)

Break and Enter CC 348(1)(a) X2

Theft over $5000 CC 334(a) X2

Failure to comply with undertaking CC 145(4)(a)

Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 CC 354(1)(a)

  • Nitish RATHEE, 23 years-old of Brampton:

Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 CC 354(1)(a) X2

Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 CC 354(1)(a)

Break and Enter CC 348(1)(a) X2

Theft over $5000 CC 334(a) X2

Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 354(1)(a)

  • Manpreet SINGH, 29 years-old of Halton Hills:

Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 CC 354(1)(a)

Failure to comply with release order CC 145(5)(a) X4

Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 CC 354(1)(a) X2

Theft over $5000 CC 334(a) X2

Break and Enter CC 348(1)(a) X2

Possession of property obtained by crime under $5000 CC 354(1)(a)

  • Manpreet SINGH, 26 years-old of Palgrave:

Possession property obtained by crime over $5000 CC 354(1)(a) X2

Possession property obtained by crime under $5000 CC 354(1)(a)

Break and Enter CC 348(1)(a) X2

Theft over $5000 CC 334(a) X2

Failure to comply with undertaking CC 145(4)(a)

Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5000 CC 354(1)(a)

All four were held for a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge on December 30, 2024.

A quantity of stolen property was recovered from the vehicle and police are continuing the investigation and collecting evidence.

Anyone with information or video surveillance in the area of Wellington Street, Bracebridge between 1:00 – 1:45 a.m. on December 30, 2024 is asked to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or crimestopperssdm.com.