4 related tool thefts in Hamilton in under a week

Crime | Latest News | Police |

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Published February 1, 2023 at 5:18 pm

Police in Hamilton are trying to take down some tool thieves who evaded arrest after their white van was spotted.

Hamilton Police (HPS) informed the public this evening (Feb. 1) that it is investigating four tool thefts, all believed to involve the same suspects and vehicle, that have occurred since last Thursday. On Monday morning, the vehicle believed to be used was spotted, but the driver got away.

“Police located the vehicle in the area of Centennial Parkway North at Barton Street East and attempted a traffic stop,” HPS stated. “However, the vehicle sped away at a high rate of speed with no regard to the rules of the road. In the interest of public safety, police did not pursue the vehicle.

In all four cases, between last Thursday (Jan. 26) and Sunday (Jan. 29), tools were swiped from commercial vehicles during the early-morning hours. Hamilton Police (HPS) shared a surveillance video that shows a white van with large windows at one of the robberies.

“At this time, these incidents are being investigated as related, as at this time police believe they involve the same vehicle and suspects,” HPS stated.

Anyone with information — which can include dashcam and video surveillance footage — that might support the investigation should contact Det. Andrew Grant (905-546-2930). Det. Grant is with the criminal investigation branch of Division 2 of HPS.

Information may also be provided anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477; crimestoppershamilton.com).

Starting with the earliest, here are the details police shared in a recent statement.

  • On Thursday, Jan. 26, at about 3:20 a.m., police received reports of a white van in the area of Britannia Ave. and Alice St., observed entering a commercial vehicle and stealing tools. Two suspects smashed the windows of the vehicle to get in.
  • That same morning, the white van backed up to a commercial vehicle parked on Cannon St. near Robins St., and suspects smashing that vehicle’s windows to gain entry.
  • On Friday, Jan. 27, police received a report of a commercial vehicle that was entered by suspects traveling in a white van. Surveillance cameras captured the time of the incident as being shortly before 4 a.m. The suspect appears to be wearing a black jacket with a hood with a horizontal reflective stripe across the upper back. Footage of a theft on Jan. 27 has been shared with the public.
  • On Sunday, Jan. 29, police received information of another theft from a commercial motor vehicle. The suspects entered two commercial vehicles parked on a lot near South Service Rd. and Jones Rd. at approximately 4:00 a.m., utilizing the same smashing windows method to gain entry. Video of that robbery is also publicly available.

(Cover image: Hamilton Police Service.)

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