Milton trio charged in two-month break and enter crime spree

Three males from Milton are facing charges in connection with a two-month crime spree involving 12 break and enters-- two of which occurred in Halton Hills. Beginning at the end of September Halton Police noticed a sudden increase in the number of break and enters mostly in the Milton area, but also in Halton Hills, Burlington and Oakville. A task force was established to investigate entries into Dufferin Aggregates on Dublin Line, Milton and also on Churchill Rd., Acton, and Glen Cairn Golf Course and numerous Milton locations including Sherman Sand and Gravel, Halton Waste Management landfill site on Regional Rd. 25, Halton Conservation Authority on Appleby Line, Trafalgar Golf and Country Club on Sixth Line, Halton Conservation Authority property on Steeles Ave. W., Hilton Falls Conservation Area on Five Sideroad, more than 70 storage units in a Nippissing Rd. storage facility, Spot Free Car Wash on Harrop Rd., as well as Indian Wells Golf Course on Walkers Line, Burlington, and Oakville Executive Golf Course on Fourth Line, Oakville. During the break-ins, a 2001 Ford F150 pickup truck and a 1996 Ford F250 pickup truck were taken from the Dufferin Aggregates Milton property. The trucks were later found badly damaged abandoned in a rural area. Two pickups were also taken from the Dufferin Aggregates property in Acton and later recovered by police undamaged. A 1988 Toyota 4-Runner truck was stolen from the Milton storage units, along with other property valued at more than $5000. The truck was later recovered after it was set on fire and completely destroyed. At the Indian Wells Golf Course in Burlington, three golf carts valued at more than $21,000, were taken from the property and before they were stolen they were used for a joy ride causing extensive damage to the golf course and its greens. Charged with 11 counts of break and enter, theft over $5,000, mischief to private property and 26 counts of breach of probation is Jonathon Leigh Thomas, 24, of Ontario St. S. Also charged with 11 counts of break and enter, theft over $5,000 and mischief to property is William Jacob Palmer, 21, of Ontario St. S. Police also charged a 17-year-old male from Milton with one count of break and enter. Thomas and Palmer were both held for a bail hearings in Milton Court on November 29. The youth as released and is to appear in Milton court on December 21. Police say the investigation is continuing and additional arrests and charges are anticipated. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Constable Mark Underwood at 905-878-5511 Ext. 2428 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).