String of B&Es prompts police chase through Ajax

A string of break-and-enters resulted in a police chase through Ajax which ended when the suspect crashed his e-bike.

There has been an ongoing string of business break-ins in Ajax throughout the year. Durham Regional Police believes they caught the culprit behind them after a brief chase on Oct. 4. Around 5:15 a.m. that day, witnesses reported a break-in at a business near Bayly St. and Westney Rd. The burglar fled before police could arrive, but a suspect was captured on video surveillance.

Minutes later, shortly after 5:30 a.m., police got a report of another break-in in the same neighbourhood. Again a suspect was caught on security cameras but left before police arrived. However, this time police soon spotted the suspect on an e-bike.

Police say the officers tried to pull the suspect over but allege he fled. This prompted a brief chase through town. However, it ended when the suspect crashed his bike into the curb. The crash sent him sprawling and he received minor injuries. The officers arrested him with out further incident and took him to the hospital.

Kewnvi-Lea Strickland, 47 of Ajax, faces 36 charges including

• 16 counts of break and enter,
• 12 counts of posession of property obtained by crime under $5,000,
• 2 counts of posession of property obtained by crime over $5,000,
• possession of a stun gun,
• possession of cocaine for trafficking,
• possession of break-in tools,
• possession of meth,
• possession of an unspecified “other” drug, and
• possession of a dangerous weapon

Anyone with information can call police at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2535 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).