Hamilton,
22
February
2023
|
19:57
America/New_York

Man Charged in Downtown Vehicle Entries

Hamilton Police continue to investigate incidents involving theft from vehicle, vehicle entries and theft of vehicles in our city. Investigators have charged a Hamilton man with over 30 criminal charges in relation to vehicle entries in the downtown area.

On Thursday, February 16, 2023 shortly after 10:00 p.m. Hamilton Police started receiving multiple 911 calls from citizens reporting vehicle entries in the downtown core. Officers attended the area and continued to investigate these reports.

During the investigation, more information was received including additional vehicles being entered a couple blocks away. Through investigation, officers were able to locate and arrest the suspect. During the arrest the suspect was in possession of stolen property linked to the vehicle entries.

50-year-old Kenneth Whitman is charged with 30 criminal charges of Mischief Under $5,000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000, Theft Under $5,000, Possession of Article Stolen from Mail and Fail to Comply Probation.

The investigation remains on going and detectives are asking anyone who may have been a victim of a vehicle mischief or entry that has not reported it, to report it to police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Alberto Fernandez of the Division One Criminal Investigation Branch at 905-546-3821.

This crime trend is not isolated to the Hamilton area and is occurring in neighboring jurisdictions. We want to thank the members of our community who called to report these crimes. A vehicle entry is a crime in progress and a 911 call is to be generated.

Hamilton Police are committed to combatting this crime in our city. As part of this response, officers are increasing patrols in identified target areas.

In reviewing these incidents, the suspects are engaging in vehicle crimes during overnight hours where there are few members of the public out. 

Hamilton Police are asking if you “See Something, Say Something”.