Officers of the Lennox and Addington OPP responded to five reports of vehicles broken into overnight.
Sometime on Nov. 2 between approximately 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., five separate vehicles were broken into around MacDougall Drive and Hogan Crescent in Amherstview. Numerous items were stolen from the vehicles. One security camera caught three people walking around checking to see if vehicle doors were unlocked. One person was seen on video entering an unlocked vehicle. Suspect one appeared to be wearing a black hoodie with something written on the front, a hoodie pulled up over a black baseball cap, black pants, and black gloves. The second suspect appeared to be wearing a black coat, black toque, black gloves, and black pants. The third suspect appeared to be wearing a light-coloured coat with grey pants, and black gloves. There was a red or burgundy-coloured SUV seen driving on the street minutes before the three males were seen on security cameras. Unknown if the SUV is related or not.
Police are seeking the public’s assistance and ask that if you or someone you know has information concerning these thefts contact the Lennox and Addington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may submit a tip to Crime Stoppers at Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS) or online at Crimestoppers.ca.
The video surveillance captured is a perfect example of how “Lock it OR Lose it” works as these criminals just moved on to the next vehicle when it was locked.
Leaving your vehicle unlocked is an invitation to would-be criminals to victimize you. An unlocked vehicle offers the opportunity for theft of the vehicle and/or its contents. An experienced thief can steal a car in as little as 30 seconds. By simply securing your vehicle and placing valuables out of sight you are making it far more difficult for criminals to steal that vehicle or its contents.
Vehicle owners/passengers can do simple things to decrease the risk of being victimized, such as:
· Never leave a running vehicle unattended
· Lock your doors
· Roll up your windows
· Keep valuables out of sight
· Keep your registration and proof of insurance in your wallet or purse, not in the glove box
· Pocket your keys
· At night or during extended parking periods, always park in a well-lit area.
-Officers of the Lennox and Addington OPP have charged a male with impaired driving thanks to an alert citizen.
On Nov. 2, at approximately 4:10 p.m., L&A OPP was dispatched to a traffic complaint of a possible impaired driver on Manitou Crescent in Loyalist Township. An alert member of the public noticed a male drinking a beer sitting in the driver’s seat, parked at a local business, and called 911. Police quickly arrived on the scene and located the vehicle and driver. There were numerous full and empty cans of beer throughout the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was showing signs of impairment and an Approved Screening Device (ASD) was administered. The driver was subsequently arrested.
As a result of this investigation, L&A County OPP has charged a 34-year-old of Amherstview with:
- Operation while impaired – alcohol and drugs
- Operation while impaired – blood alcohol concentration (80 plus)
The accused was released on an undertaking and is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in Greater Napanee on Nov. 21. The accused’s licence was suspended for 90 days, and the vehicle was impounded for seven days
Impaired driving is the #1 cause of criminal death in Canada and, yet, every impaired driving crash is preventable. By calling 911 and reporting suspected impaired drivers to police, all Canadians can play a role in keeping our roads, trails and waterways safe and in reducing impaired driving crashes, deaths and injuries.