(HOWICK, ON) – Huron County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has laid several criminal charges against a 33 year old man from Stratford following an early morning incident on Tuesday, July 29, 2014.
Just after 4:00 a.m., a Huron County OPP Officer was in the Howick area conducting proactive patrols in response to recent thefts of fuel from fuel storage tanks. The officer pulled into the Howick Roads Department property located on Harriston Road when he observed an ATV suspiciously leave the property. The officer followed the ATV to a nearby field located on Toll Gate Line. Additional police vehicles responded and officers were able to contain the ATV and driver within the field. West Region OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT) members and an OPP K9 unit attended the scene to track the fleeing suspect. The track proved to be successful as officers located the suspect hiding in the riverbank foliage.
Officers arrested the male and found the male in possession of Break-In Instruments and Methamphetamine. Officers also confirmed the male was operating a 2011 Yamaha ATV that was stolen from Morris-Turnberry on July 2, 2014.
Additional investigation revealed the suspect was also responsible for four recent break, enter and thefts of fuel that took place at the Wawanosh Nature Centre located on Nature Centre Road in North Huron.
As a result, Clint KERR, 33 years of age from Stratford has been charged with:
Break, Enter & Commit Indictable Offence – Four Counts
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 – Two Counts
Theft Under $5,000
Possession of Break-In Instruments
Possession of a Schedule I Substance – Methamphetamine
He remains in custody with a bail hearing scheduled for August 1, 2014 at the Ontario Court of Justice – Goderich.
Any person with information regarding this incident should immediately contact Huron OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.