Hamilton man facing over 30 charges connected to vehicle thefts downtown
Published February 22, 2023 at 8:24 pm
Police in Hamilton have charged a man with some 30 criminal counts, after being alerted to multiple vehicle break-ins downtown one night last week.
A statement by Hamilton Police (HPS) says it receiving multiple 911 calls from citizens reporting vehicle entries shortly after 10 p.m. last Thursday (Feb. 16). The responding officers received further information, which included reports of “additional vehicles being entered a couple blocks away.” That led to finding a suspect in what is considered an ongoing investigation.
“Through investigation, officers were able to locate and arrest the suspect,” HPS says. “During the arrest the suspect was in possession of stolen property linked to the vehicle entries.”
Kenneth Whitman, 50, faces numerous criminal charges of mischief under $5,000; possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000; theft under $5,000; possession of articles stolen from mail; and failure to comply with probation.
The HPS are asking anyone who may have been a victim of a vehicle mischief or entry that has not reported it to do so. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Constable Alberto Fernandez (905-546-4821) of the HPS Division 1 criminal investigation branch.
The police added that officers will increase patrols in identified target areas. They say suspects often carry out vehicle crimes in the late-night hours when the streets are largely empty.
Videos
“This crime trend is not isolated to the Hamilton area and is occurring in neighbouring jurisdictions,” HPS states. “We want to thank the members of our community who called to report these crimes. A vehicle entry is a crime in progress and a 911 call is to be generated.”
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising