Mount Forest man charged with robbery, theft

MOUNT FOREST – A local man has been charged in connection with a robbery here.

Wellington County OPP officials say that on Jan. 2 at about 10am, someone returning to their vehicle in a parking lot at a business on Main Street near Queen Street in Mount Forest noticed a suspect in the driver's seat.

"The victim attempted to physically remove the suspect from the vehicle and a struggle ensued," police stated in a press release.

"The victim was knocked to the ground and the suspect fled in the victim's vehicle at a high rate of speed."

About an hour later, the suspect stole fuel from a gas station on Main Street in Mount Forest while driving the stolen vehicle, police say.

Later the same day, the stolen vehicle was recovered and a suspect was arrested in York Region by York Regional Police.

Raymond Lloyd Cote, 29, of Mount Forest, was charged with robbery, theft under $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, dangerous driving and failing to comply with a probation order.

He was held for a bail hearing in Guelph court.