Automobile thief posed as potential buyer

An auto-theft suspect who was arrested on Tuesday pretended he had an interest in buying the vehicle before he took it, say Windsor police.

Robert Sandwith, 35, is charged with theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of possession of stolen property, and two counts of breaching conditions.

The case began on March 2 when the owner of a Nissan Altima reported that the car had been stolen from a residence in the 300 block of Giles Boulevard West.

The owner had been trying to sell the vehicle and had posted about it online. Investigators say the suspect contacted the owner, posing as a potential buyer, then stole the vehicle. For three weeks, the car remained missing.

But on Tuesday, officers with the property crimes unit observed a Nissan Altima matching the description travelling in the area of Walker Road and Ducharme Street. The car had a licence plate that had been reported stolen in Harrow the previous day.

In the interest of public safety, police did not pursue the moving vehicle. However, with the help of patrol officers, the Nissan was located again — parked in a lot in the 1900 block of Division Road. Officers surrounded the area. The suspect was stopped and arrested as he tried to leave the parking lot on foot.

Windsor police remind people of the need for caution when selling items online and dealing with strangers. Police advise that meetings with potential buyers should take place in public places, and those involved in such transactions should be identified. Anyone with information on this case is encouraged to call investigators at 519-255-6700, ext. 4350 or Crime Stoppers at 519-2588477 or catchcrooks.com.