Man charged in west Hamilton break-ins

No information to tie arrest to prowler that was in women’s bedrooms

Hamilton police say they have identified and arrested a man in connection with break-ins near Westdale.

Police allege they have also tied the 49-year-old to several “prowler” incidents in Westdale, but are not laying charges in those cases.

With the arrest, police say they have closed investigations into prowling reported on Sept. 4, 5 and 6, said Const. Lorraine Edwards.

These incidents are some of about a dozen different reports of prowling in Westdale in September that included a man sneaking into unlocked homes, garages and, in some cases, women woke to find a man in their bedrooms.

The incidents led the heightened community fear and warnings from police to make sure windows and doors are locked.

There is no information tying the accused to the more serious prowling incidents that involved a man standing in women’s bedrooms. It remains unclear if these incidents involve more than one person.

On Oct. 6, the 49-year-old from Hamilton was arrested and charged with two counts of break and enter, assault, two counts of theft, possession of burglary tools and two counts of failing to comply with probation.

The charges are related to break-ins on Oct. 2 and 4 just outside of the Westdale neighbourhood.

In the second case, a man had been spotted in a backyard, leading to a quick police response because of increase patrols for the Westdale prowling incidents, Edwards said.

Police also noted that reports of prowling incidents involving a man being spotted in backyards have decreased this month.

The man remains in custody. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity to Hamilton police at 905-546-4861, McMaster security dispatch at 905-525-9140, ext. 24281, or 911 for a crime in progress.

To remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.