This one has been some time coming but the police got them; they usually do.

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON. March 7, 2013 The police have been investigating a group of thieves that focus on ATM machines – they know how they operate but until yesterday they had not managed to make any arrests.

They created a Project Scorch that used the resources of a number of police forces – ATM break and enter bandits

Police arrested three  people in connection with a string of over one hundred and thirty break and enters to ATM machines that have taken place in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec since October 24th, 2010.

Police knew what these guys were up to but the security cameras didn’t give them enough detail. Arrests were made yesterday – guess they got better pictures.

The Halton Regional Police and Toronto Police Services have worked in partnership over the last two months, culminating in the arrests on yesterday.   A group of people were identified as being responsible for sixty (60) break and enters into ATM machines within the Quebec region and over seventy (70) break and enters within the province of Ontario.  Areas in Ontario that were victimized by this group include Niagara, Hamilton, Waterloo, York, Peel, Durham, Ottawa, Toronto and Halton Regions.

The accused parties used various methods of breaking into the ATM’s including prying, drilling and torching open the machines to remove the cash inside.  A quantity of cash, break and enter tools and two vehicles have been seized as a result. Police have charged the accused parties with over 20 counts of Break and Enter, one count of Participating in a Criminal Organization and multiple counts of Possession of Break and Enter Instruments.

The accused parties are identified as:

William NOLIN, 43 years of age – Niagara resident

Regean LAVIGNE 48 years of age – Laval, Quebec resident

Maxime LAVIGNE 24 years of age – Laval, Quebec resident.  Maxime is the son of co-accused Regean.

NOLIN was arrested in NIAGARA and the LAVIGNE’s were arrested in the City of Toronto on this date.

 

NOLIN and the LAVIGNE’s are being held for a bail hearing scheduled for Friday March 8th 2013 at the Milton Provincial Court.

A fourth male is being sought in connection with these incidents.  Police anticipate issuing a Canada Wide arrest warrant in the coming days for this individual.  Police continue to investigate these incidents and are anticipating laying several additional charges as information comes to light.

The police will have more to say about this case.


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