Two men charged in string of break-ins targeting e-bikes

Hamilton police have charged two men in connection with a string of commercial break-ins where a moped and e-bikes were stolen.

Police allege the men are responsible for three break-ins this month and last.

The first happened July 22 around 3:40 a.m. at PJ’s Automotive, at 710 Cannon St. E., where two men broke into the secure compound and stole a moped.

That moped, which has also been described by police as a “low-speed motorcycle,” was recovered Aug. 8 after being involved in a fatal crash.

In that crash, a 38-year-old Hamilton man, whose name police didn’t release, died after driving into a fence at Shaw and Cheever streets, west of Wentworth Street North, just after 3 a.m. He was not wearing a helmet. The second break-in happened July 23 around 6:18 p.m. when police allege the same two men forced open the door of Emmo Hamilton at 819 King St. E. and stole two e-bikes.

On Aug. 7 around 5:50 a.m., the same two men broke into the Electric Avenue E-bike shop at 1471 Main St. E. and stole two e-bikes that were later recovered in an alleyway, police allege.

Charles Shotwell, 49, of Hamilton is charged with three counts of break and enter.

Daniel Letchford, 31, of Brantford is charged with three counts of break and enter, three counts of failing to comply with probation, and possession of burglary tools.

Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Const. Shannon McLean at 905-546-8938 or Acting Staff Sgt. Tim Bower at 905-546-2991.

To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1800-222-8477.