A Montreal man faces several charges after he was caught with a stolen vehicle in Guelph this week.
On Monday night, members of the Guelph Police Service Break Enter Auto Theft Unit were investigating a stolen 2024 Toyota Sequoia SUV parked near Victoria Road North and Ingram Drive.
Officers saw two men in a Land Rover approach the vehicle and begin putting fuel into it from a gas can. Officers approached and identified themselves. One of the men got into the driver’s seat of the Land Rover in an attempt to flee, but was removed from the vehicle by officers.
The man did not listen to commands and attempted to flee on foot while flailing his arms but was eventually arrested. The second suspect fled behind a residence and was not located.
Investigation revealed the arrested man is on bail with a condition to reside with his surety in Montreal and not to attend the Province of Ontario or occupy the driver’s seat of a vehicle.
The licence plates on the Land Rover had been stolen and officers are still trying to determine whether the vehicle itself is stolen. A search of the Land Rover revealed tools including pliers, a window breaker, unlock kit and a saw. Officers also recovered blank car keys and a scanning device which could be attached to a vehicle’s diagnostic system.
A 27-year-old Montreal man is charged with possessing stolen property over $5,000, possessing stolen property under $5,000, resisting arrest, wearing a disguise while committing an offence, possessing break-in instruments, possessing an auto master key and five counts of breaching a bail order. He will appear in bail court September 26.
The investigation is ongoing.