Barrie police say they have apprehended a suspect in relation to a break-in early Tuesday morning at an east-end veterinary clinic.
On April 23 at 6:59 a.m., officers responded to a report of insecure premises at a veterinary hospital located on Steel Street. Upon arrival at the scene, police say they observed the front glass door had been smashed.
From the investigation that followed, and aided by video surveillance, it was “very quickly learned” that a lone male suspect arrived at the clinic riding a bicycle at 2:24 a.m., police stated in a news release issued Wednesday.
Three minutes later, the man was seen riding away from the animal hospital while carrying a safe.
Police say video surveillance captured the entire incident and responding officers were able to identify the person believed to be responsible.
At 7:20 a.m. on Tuesday, Barrie police responded to a nearby residence on Oakley Park Square where the homeowner had awoke to find the stolen safe, open and discarded, on her driveway.
Throughout the day, police say officers kept a watchful eye for the suspect who was being sought.
At 8:15 p.m. Tuesday, officers on patrol in the Collier Street area located the suspect, who was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit, police say.
The accused, a 43-year-old man of no fixed address, was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with break and enter, mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000, and failure to comply with a probation order.
He has been held in custody for a bail hearing that is scheduled to take place today, by video, with the Ontario Court of Justice located in Barrie.
