Cigarette thief to return to court for sentencing

A man who pleaded guilty to his role in a crime spree where thieves made off with thousands of dollars in cigarettes from gas stations and convenience stores across southern Ontario will return to court next month to learn his fate.

Irvin Quintanilla pleaded guilty in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on Tuesday to 11 charges including several counts of break and enter and commit theft over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.

The crimes occurred between June 25 and July 24, 2017, in St. Catharines, Thorold, Hamilton and Waterloo region.

In each case, two men, often driving stolen vehicles, targeted convenience stores and gas stations.

Court heard surveillance cameras captured the men, their faces concealed by balaclavas, entering the properties after breaking a window with a large rock and then filling plastic garbage containers with cigarettes.

In one heist alone, cigarettes valued at $10,000 were stolen from a convenience store in Stoney Creek.

The crime spree ended July 24 following a lengthy police chase that began following a break-in at a convenience store in Thorold.

Quintanilla was arrested by Ontario Provincial Police on the Queen Elizabeth Way near Vineland.

The Hamilton resident will return to court July 16 for sentencing.