NEWS RELEASE
THUNDER BAY POLICE SERVICE
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THUNDER BAY POLICE SERVICE
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Thunder Bay Police Service officers with the Uniform Patrol Branch were dispatched to the 100-block of Woodside Street following reports of suspicious people going into driveways just before 3:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 19.
Some area residents have expressed concerns and reported ongoing suspected car hopping activity in their neighbourhood. As a result police had increased patrols in areas identified by concerned citizens.
When officers arrived they located two suspects inside a pickup truck appearing to be sorting through its contents.
As officers approached the two suspects fled on foot to a nearby backyard, but were quickly located and arrested.
Richard Allan HODGINS, 51, of Thunder Bay, is charged with Trespassing, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 and Breach of Probation.
A second accused, a 41-year-old Thunder Bay man, is charged with Trespassing, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, Possession of Break-in Instruments and Breach of Probation.
HODGINS appeared in bail court on Sunday, April 19 and was remanded into custody with a future appearance date. The second accused was released with conditions and a future appearance date.
Car hopping refers to a criminal practice in which a person, or group of people, target a neighborhood and attempt to break in and steal from multiple vehicles in a short amount of time. Often a person involved in car hopping is checking for unlocked doors and ignores locked vehicles. However there are cases where the would-be thief breaks into locked vehicles.
Car hopping is a crime of opportunity and the best defence is to ensure there are no valuables in your vehicle.
