Cochrane man arrested for multiple B&Es in the town

A row of black and yellow OPP shirts. (File photo/Supplied/Ontario Provincial Police)

A 24-year-old man in Cochrane might have learned that bad things sometimes do come in threes has he is now facing multiple charges – including three break-and-enter offences.

The first incident took place July 27 at a business on Fourth Avenue.

“At approximately 3 a.m., the James Bay Ontario Provincial Police responded to an alarm,” said police in a news release.

“Police responded quickly and found evidence of a break-in, however no persons were located inside the building.”

As part of their investigation, OPP collected evidence to identify the suspect in the incident.

Today, Aug. 8, around midnight, officers responded to a call concerning a person breaking into vehicles in a commercial parking lot on Boisvert Crescent.

“The caller was able to identify the suspect, however, the suspect was gone upon police arrival,” said police.

Approximately 30 minutes later at about 12:30 a.m., while searching for the suspect, members of James Bay OPP observed him attempted to enter a residence on Fourth? Street.

“The suspect was placed under arrest at this time,” said the OPP.

About 15 minutes after the arrest, police received another complaint that that a home on Thirteenth Avenue had been broken into. The investigation determined the suspect in this incident was the man already in custody.

Charges include two counts of theft, trespassing at night and multiple charges for breaching probation and release in addition to the three break-and-enter charges.

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.

“Stay vigilant -- lock your vehicles and secure your homes,” said police in a related social media post.

“Don’t make it easy for would-be criminals to victimize vehicle/home owners.”

“Lock it or lose it,” added OPP Const. Kyler Brouwer in the news release.