Thunder Bay Police Service officers were in the area of the Water Street bus terminal when they were flagged down by witnesses of a theft at about 8:45 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6.
Police learned the witnesses were standing on the rear porch of a restaurant in the zero-to-100 block of Cumberland Street South when they observed a male on a bicycle trying to open car doors in the area of Red River Road and Cumberland Street.
The male entered a vehicle parked on Red River Road. One of the witnesses approached the window of the vehicle and saw the accused searching through the vehicle’s contents. The witness knocked on the vehicle window, at which point the accused fled on his bicycle.
Witnesses were able to provide police with a detailed description of the accused, who was still in the area.
Police located and identified the male accused. Police found a variety of items on the accused that were believed to be stolen from vehicles.
Police were able to return the items, including a passport, to the owners.
A 30-year-old Thunder Bay man has been charged with Theft Under $5,000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000, and Breach of Probation x 2.
He was later released with a future court date.
Car hopping refers to act of quickly moving from one vehicle to steal the contents inside. Car hopping is a crime of opportunity, and thieves typically prefer vehicles with unlocked doors.
The best way to protect yourself from such incidents is to keep your vehicle doors locked and keep valuables out of view.