Vandalism crime spree in Ontario region leads to arrest of two men on 50 charges

Two men are facing a total of 50 charges following a break-and-enter and property damage spree this spring in Ajax and Whitby.

Durham Police responded to a property damage call at a Buy and Sell Kings on Bayly Street on May 7 after security discovered several windows at the business had been smashed.

Investigators later determined that at least 15 businesses in the surrounding area, including a bank, restaurant, cannabis store and coffee shop had sustained similar damage to their storefronts.

Police say the two suspects are also believed to be responsible for additional property damage incidents in Whitby.

Investigators with the West Crime Team executed a search warrant at a home in Oshawa on July 7 and arrested one of the suspects a short distance away. During the search officers discovered two stolen motorcycles, a prohibited expandable baton, several dealership keys, a fake licence plate, ammunition and a flare gun modified to shoot firearm ammunition.

On Wednesday the second suspect was found at a residence in Pickering and taken into custody.

Matthew Gerald Pidgeon-Wallace, 31, of Oshawa is charged with 17 counts of mischief, nine firearm violations, three break-and-enter counts, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, three counts of possession of stolen property, three counts of driving while disqualified, fail to remain, weapons dangerous and fail to comply with release order.

At the time of the incidents, Pidgeon-Wallace was on weapon prohibition conditions.

Kody David Burgess, 35, of Pickering is charged with six mischief counts, two counts of possession of stolen property, break-and-enter and motor vehicle theft.

Pidgeon-Wallace was held for a bail hearing. Burgess was released on an Undertaking.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the West Crime Team at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 1905.