Police beat: Man charged with vehicle break-ins

Man charged with vehicle break-ins

GUELPH-ERAMOSA – On Jan. 2 at about 3:30am Wellington County OPP responded to a report of a male breaking into vehicles in the area of Hartfield Drive and Wellington Road 7 here.

The suspect was described as an older Caucasian male with a white beard, wearing a black hat and a reflective jacket, carrying a knapsack and riding a bicycle.

The suspect fled when approached by the witness. Police patrolled the area and observed other residences with footprints up the driveway, around the vehicles and back to the roadway.

Officers located an individual a short distance away that matched the description of the suspect.

Matthew Kochan, 48, of no fixed address, was charged with trespass at night and mischief. He is to appear in Guelph court on Feb. 2.

Residential break-in

MOUNT FOREST –  On Jan. 5 at about 2pm, Wellington County OPP responded to a break-in at residence on Birmingham Street here.

Police say that sometime between Jan. 2 and 5, someone gained entry to the locked residence by breaking a rear window with a rock and then ransacked the home and stole a laptop computer and jewelry.

Anyone with information can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at www.csgw.tips.

Fuel theft

FERGUS – On Jan. 10 Wellington County OPP responded to a report of a break-in and theft at a business on Glengarry Crescent.

Police say that on Jan. 10, sometime between 1:30 and 2:30am, someone driving a modified red Ford F150 truck gained entry to the fenced property by breaking a lock on a gate and then proceeded to fill several containers with fuel before leaving the area.

The truck has an extended cab with a generator and welder mounted behind the cab.  It has a low, open short box with a heavy duty trailer hitch.

Anyone with information can contact the Wellington County OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip at csgw.tips.