Man arrested twice in three days for break and enter crimes in Whitby finally in custody

Whitby | Durham | Community | Crime | Latest News | Police |

By

Published June 30, 2023 at 4:37 pm

A man literally fitting the descriptive of “repeat offender” was arrested for the second time in less than 32 hours Wednesday after a series of break-and-enters in Whitby.

On Monday evening Durham Police were on the scene near Teresa Drive and Reynolds Street after a “concerned citizen” called 9-1-1 about a man in his backyard. Police were able to find the suspect and after a brief investigation learned the man had committed three break-and-enters in the same neighbourhood in the past hour.

He was arrested and processed and released on a promise to appear.

The next day, just after 8 a.m., police were back in the area at Reynolds and Eva Court after receiving reports that the same man was breaking into garages and attempting to break into motor vehicles. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect.

Fast forward about 18 hours to 2:20 a.m. Wednesday and officers on proactive patrol near Consumers Drive and Garden Street spotted the suspect and were able to arrest him without incident. During the arrest the man was found in possession of fentanyl, police said.

Mathew Clarke, 31, of No Fixed Address has been charged with four counts of break and enter, four breach of probation counts, possession of stolen property (under $5,000) and possession of fentanyl.

He was held for a bail hearing.

Media Sergeant Joanne Bortoluss held a media conference to announce the arrest and to educate the public about Bill-75, which governs the guidelines and thresholds to when officers can hold or release a suspect.

To learn more about bill C-75 click here

Anyone with new information on these crimes that could help investigators is asked to contact police at (905) 579-1520.

INdurham's Editorial Standards and Policies