Man charged in string of Sault Ste. Marie break-ins

An undated image of a Sault Ste. Marie Police Service vehicle. (File Photo/CTV News)

A 34-year-old man faces multiple charges following a series of break-ins at businesses across Sault Ste. Marie this month.

Detectives with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service charged the man on Sunday with four counts each of break and enter, disguise with intent, theft and mischief.

The charges stem from four separate incidents reported to police over five days.

Three break-ins reported over two days

In the early morning hours of April 8 and 9, 911 operators received reports of break and enters at three different businesses.

The first incident occurred on April 8 in the 0-100 block of Great Northern Road. The second took place on April 9 in the 700 block of Second Line East, and the third also occurred on April 9 in the 700 block of Pine Street.

“In each of the three incidents, a suspect wearing a face covering had broken into the business by damaging property and stole Canadian currency before fleeing the scene,” police said in a news release.

Fourth break-in leads to arrest

Around 6 a.m. on April 12, 911 operators received a report of a break and enter in progress at a business in the 200 block of Second Line West.

Officers were dispatched to the scene; however, police said the suspect had already left when they arrived.

“Officers located the suspect – later identified as the accused – in the 300 block of Doncaster Road,” said police.

“They were arrested.”

A search of the accused located a quantity of cash, and a subsequent search of the immediate area located a cash register stolen from the Second Line business.

“An investigation revealed the accused, while wearing a bandana over to cover their face, had damaged property to enter the business and stole the cash register,” said police.

Police said the accused was also identified as the suspect in the previous three incidents.

The man was held in custody pending a bail hearing.