Ottawa Citizen

Alleged panty-thief collared, info sought

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A 61-year-old former Renfrew man is accused of breaking into two homes to steal women’s underwear. John Douglas Burwell, known as “Doug,” was initially charged by Ontario Provincial Police in September when the first victim went to police with surveillan­ce video of a suspect stealing women’s underwear from a home in Whitewater Region Township. Burwell was charged and released on bail. A second victim came forward earlier this month with apparent evidence their Renfrew home had been broken into in September and underwear stolen. Burwell was again charged and released on bail. But investigat­ors say they found “a number of bras and panties” in a search of his then-home in Renfrew and say “police believe this has been occurring for a number of years.” Investigat­ors don’t know who owned some of the items that were discovered, Const. Janice Sawbridge said. In both cases in which charges have been laid, the women lived near the suspect. “We are looking for people to come forward,” Sawbridge said. “We understand that this can be difficult because of the nature of the thefts but we are encouragin­g people to assist.” They’re asked to call Renfrew OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Burwell now lives in Admaston/ Bromley Township but recently lived in Renfrew and previously in the Douglas area of the township. He’s charged with two counts of break and enter and committing an indictable offence and six counts of possession of property obtained by crime.

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