(HAWKESBURY, ON) – The Hawkesbury Crime Unit of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have been investigating a series of break & enter and theft incidents that occurred between October 2014 and June 2015. Residential homes and businesses were mostly targeted at nighttime and while buildings were vacant. Detective/Constable Steve Hamel and Detective/Constable Danyk Lafrance lead the investigations and with the assistance of OPP Forensic Identification Services (FIS), were able to gather evidence and execute a search warrant at a residence on High Street in Vankleek Hill, in Champlain Township.
As a result of the execution of the search warrant on July 30th 2015, their hard work paid off as an extensive amount of stolen items was recovered such as a side by side utility-terrain vehicle (UTV), an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), numerous power tools and several other miscellaneous items including illicit drugs. All recovered stolen property has been returned to their rightful owners.
The combined value of the seized/recovered property is estimated at more than $24,000.
28-year-old, Laurier Jr MAHEU, of Vankleek Hill was arrested and charged with 5 counts of Break and Enter, 2 counts of Theft Over $5000 and Possession of a Schedule II Substance (Cannabis marihuana).
He was released on a Promise to Appear and Undertaking and scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice in L’Orignal on September 30th 2015.
Investigators have yet to locate the owner of a pair of Water Skis (Aquarite-Combi) recovered during the search warrant. The owner is asked to contact Detective/Constable Steve Hamel or Danyk Lafrance to retrieve the property.