Man arrested in string of break-and-enters across Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and York Region

A man of no-fixed-address faces numerous charges in connection to a string of commercial break-and-enters in Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and York Region.

Police allege the man broke into 11 businesses, mostly restaurants, throughout January and February. Investigators say he smashed the glass of the front windows or doors of the premises and stole cash and property from the scenes.

York Regional Police arrested the man on February 9, for 14 incidents at restaurants in Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan during the same period. YRP alleges the same MO of smashing the front glass and absconding with cash from the registers.

In one incident, York investigators allege the man made off with a safe from one of the restaurants. YRP recovered the safe from Toronto after executing a search warrant.

DRPS charged the man for the B&E’s in Durham Region following his arrest.

Michael Haughton, 49 of No Fixed Address, faces 21 charges from Durham police, including; nine counts of break and enter – commit business, two counts of break and enter commit with intent business, nine counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and failure to comply with a probation order.

Haughton also faces 17 charges from York police, including; 14 counts of break and enter and commit, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and two counts of breach of probation order.

Anyone with information pertinent to the investigation can call DRPS Det. Barkwell at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2562, YRPS at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7545, or CrimeStoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).