Media Release for Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Calls for Service:
(July 29 at 8:00am – July 30 at 8:00am) 116

Construction Equipment Theft Investigation and Arrest

An investigation, by the Peterborough Police Service Street Crime Unit, into a series of thefts across the province of Ontario has resulted in charges against a 34-year-old Peterborough man.

On July 23, 2025, after an eight-month investigation, the Peterborough Police Service Street Crime Unit conducted a search warrant at a property east of Peterborough.

Officers seized:

• Skid Steer, confirmed stolen out of North York on August 17, 2024
• Side-by-side, confirmed stolen off Highway 65 in Cane Township on May25, 2025
• Commercial generator stolen from the GTA
• Cube truck, confirmed stolen from Toronto October of 2022
• Stolen flatbed trailer
• .22 caliber rifle
• Black powder firearm  
• Cross bow X3 (Seized due to prohibition order)
• Pellet guns X2 (Seized due to prohibition order)
• 2.8 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine
• A quantity of pills (suspected codeine and acetaminophen)

Total value of the stolen property recovered is approximately $255,000. 

As a result, a 34-year-old Peterborough man was charged with:

• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 X4
• Operation While Prohibited
• Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
• Careless Storage of a Firearm
• Possession of Firearm or Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order X2
• Fail to Comply with Release Order
• Breach of Recognizance

The accused is currently wanted on a warrant in another jurisdiction and at the time of his arrest was bound by a weapons prohibition order to not possess any firearm, crossbow, prohibited weapon, restricted weapon and prohibited device.

The accused is currently bound by several driving prohibitions as well as a recognizance order with the following conditions: to keep the peace and be of good behaviour and to not possess any weapons as defined by the Criminal Code.

The accused is also bound by a release order with the condition to reside with their surety.

The accused is currently being held in custody as a result of the theft of a skid steer in Toronto on July 22, 2025.

“I am very proud of the work by our Street Crime Unit.  This has been a lengthy investigation that has resulted in recovery of stolen property and an arrest of an individual who has a history of criminal activity.  With weapons and drugs recovered along with the stolen equipment, these are crimes and situations that could pose a significant danger in our community. We hope the public recognizes, as we do, that these types of projects are important in helping keep our community safe.” -  Chief Stuart Betts, Peterborough Police Service.

The Peterborough Police Service would like to thank the Toronto Police Service and Ontario Provincial Police for their assistance throughout the investigation.

The successful completion of this lengthy investigation was made possible through funding provided by the Ontario Government, Ministry of the Solicitor General in which the Criminal Intelligence Service Ontario (CISO) supported this investigation.

Sandra Dueck
Manager, Strategic Communication Services
Peterborough Police Service
sdueck@peterborough.ca
705-876-1122 x217