Two suspects have been charged in connection with commercial break-and-enters in Durham following a police investigation that began with a single-vehicle collision in Clarington.
Durham Regional Police say officers responded to a check-on-well-being call around 3:10 a.m. on Friday, January 23, after a vehicle was found in a ditch. The K9 Unit attended the scene and determined the vehicle had been reported stolen.
With assistance from officers in East Division, police tracked two suspects to a nearby commercial building in Clarington, where both individuals were arrested. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a large quantity of stolen property, including cigarettes, lottery tickets, point-of-sale terminals, and tools commonly used in break-and-enter offences.
Investigators later determined the suspects were connected to two commercial break-and-enters in the immediate area prior to the collision. Further investigation linked the pair to a total of five commercial break-and-enters across Durham Region.
Police say Brandon Haynes, 31, of Clarington, has been charged with multiple offences, including break and enter, possession of property obtained by crime, disguise with intent, fraud, theft of a motor vehicle, obstructing a peace officer, and numerous probation violations.
Michael Winn, 59, of Oshawa, faces similar charges, including break and enter, possession of stolen property, disguise with intent, theft of a motor vehicle, and multiple counts of failing to comply with probation.
At the time of their arrests, police say both men were in violation of existing probation orders. Both were held for bail hearings.
Anyone with information related to these incidents is asked to contact Durham Regional Police or Crime Stoppers. Police note that the allegations have not been proven in court.
