NEWS RELEASE
SOUTH SIMCOE POLICE
*************************
A Barrie man faces 52 charges following a brazen spree of a commercial break and enters last summer in downtown Bradford and other jurisdictions.
The arrest follows a four-month, multi-jurisdictional investigation spearheaded by the South Simcoe Police Service Street Crime Unit in partnership with Peel Regional Police, York Regional Police, Barrie Police and the Ontario Provincial Police.
The investigation determined that a vehicle stolen during an early morning break and enter in Peel Region was used in a string of 14 entries to commercial properties during the month of August 2020. The offences began in Barrie before stretching out into Peel, York and Simcoe County.
The targeted smash-and-grab entries resulted in damage to 15 properties, an arson and the theft of approximately $18,000 in cash and items.
Detectives from different services teamed up and engaged numerous resources including crime analysts who all collaborated and worked diligently to bring an end to this destructive crime spree.
On Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, 34-year-old Aaron Lee of Barrie was arrested by the South Simcoe Police Service Street Crime Unit and charged with 52 offences:
- 15 x Break and enter place and commit
- 1x Break and enter dwelling commit
- 16 x Mischief under $5000
- 14 x Theft under $5000
- 1 x Mischief over $5000
- 1 x Theft of motor vehicle
- 1 x Dangerous operation
- 1 x Possession of property obtained by crime
- 1 x Operation while prohibited
- 1 x Arson
The accused was released with a future court date.
South Simcoe Police Service wants to thank the businesses for their assistance during this investigation. We urge commercial property owners to invest in a security system and avoid leaving cash on the premises. This investigation is a great example of how police services work together to solve crime in our communities.
*************************
