Home under renovations in north Oshawa robbed twice by alleged squatter

A home under construction in northwest Oshawa was robbed twice in an 11-day period by a man police said was staying inside the home during the renovations.

Durham Police responded to a break-and-enter call at a home at Thornton Road and Conlin Road on May 30 and found evidence that someone had stolen several appliances, residential wiring and construction equipment.

On Wednesday, June 10 police responded to a second call for a break-and-enter at the residence. Officers searched the home and found evidence the suspect had been staying in the home while it was undergoing renovations.

Further investigation discovered several of the stolen appliances for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

On Saturday the suspect was found in Oshawa with a stolen air conditioning unit and taken into custody. A search warrant was later executed at his home where several stolen appliances were located.

Jesse Kevin Potts, 33, of Oshawa was charged with two counts of break-and-enter and possession of stolen property (over $5,000).

He was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with cell phone, dash cam, surveillance footage or information about this incident is asked to contact Det. Eid of the Central West Division Criminal Investigations Branch at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1805.