Large bust in Orillia after Bracebridge break-ins

Bracebridge Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) has charged four individuals after a series of break and enters in Muskoka.

• Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device 
• Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox

Provincial police responded to a break and enter call at a building centre located on Muskoka Road 169 in Gravenhurst at 4:45 a.m. Friday.

Police say suspects broke in with efficiency, took approximately $10,000 worth of tools, and left in a large white panel van.

At 1:40 a.m. Monday, a Bracebridge OPP officer was on patrol on Wellington Street in Bracebridge when he recognized an eastbound vehicle matching the description of the one from the Friday break-in.

The officer tried to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver failed to stop and continued south onto Highway 11.

Additional officers, including several officers from Orillia Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) station successfully stopped on the van on Highway 11 South near Highway 12 in Orillia, and the four occupants were taken into custody.

Almost simultaneously, at 1:45 a.m., police received a call from a building centre located on Wellington Street in Bracebridge, reporting that there had been a break-in and a significant quantity of tools had been stolen.

Police arrested and charged the following individuals:

A 35-year-old of Brampton man with:

• Assault a peace officer with a weapon
• Flight from peace officer
• Dangerous operation
• Failure to stop after accident
• Operation while prohibited
• Two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000
• Two counts of break and enter
• Two counts of theft over $5,000
• Failure to comply with undertaking
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000

A 23-year-old of Brampton man was charged with:

• Two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
• Two counts of break and enter
• Two counts of theft over $5,000
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000

A 29-year-old of Halton Hills man was charged with:

• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000
• Four counts of failure to comply with release order
• Two counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Two counts of theft over $5,000
• Two counts of break and enter
• Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000

A 26-year-old of Palgrave man was charged with:

• Two counts of possession property obtained by crime over $5,000
• Possession property obtained by crime under $5,000
• Two counts of break and enter
• Two counts of theft over $5,000
• Failure to comply with undertaking
• Possession of proceeds of property obtained by crime under $5,000

All four accused parties have been held for a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice in Bracebridge Monday.

A quantity of stolen property was recovered from the vehicle and police are continuing the investigation and collecting evidence. Anyone with information or video surveillance in the area of Wellington Street, Bracebridge between 1 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. on Monday is asked to call OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).