A 23 year-old Regina male faces 19 charges stemming from a string of incidents, including four Break and Enter offences, many of which occurred in a single day, last week, in Regina. The series of alleged offences and the ease with which the suspect gained entry serves as a reminder to Regina citizens that we all have a role to play in community safety. In many of these cases, it’s believed the suspect entered garages through unlocked doors, making it easier to commit thefts and other criminal offences.
- On January 21st, police recovered a Honda Civic in the 100 block of Cardinal Crescent. The car was taken in a Break and Enter that happened overnight on January 14-15, 2016, in the 0-99 block of Cardinal Crescent. The recovered vehicle also had tools and other stolen property, which was linked to a Break and Enter of a garage, in the 3300 block of Grant Road, sometime between January 19-21. Entry to the garage was likely made through an unlocked door.
- Later on January 21st, police were notified of a Break and Enter that had occurred sometime overnight January 20-21, 2016, at a detached garage in the 1800 block of Grant Road. Numerous tools were loaded into a Cadillac parked in the garage. Keys left inside the car led to the theft of the vehicle itself.
- In the investigation, Police later learned the Cadillac had been seen in the area of Michener Crescent and University Park Drive. It was observed entering an open garage in the 0-99 block of Dalhousie Drive.
- Still on that date: January 21st, police received a complaint of a Break and Enter that had occurred on Mayfield Road, sometime between January 19-21. Mail from another address on that street was found on the garage floor. When police officers attended the address the mail had been stolen from, that resident reported that an unknown person had been inside her garage, locking the overhead garage door.
- At about noon on January 21st, police received yet another Break and Enter report that had occurred sometime in the early morning hours of January 21st, at a residence on Sommerfield Drive. The suspect had used bolt cutters to enter a locked shed and then left the bolt cutters in the garage, which was unlocked. The suspect then entered the house, while the occupants slept, and stole clothing, a purse and numerous pieces of mail.
- Later that day, police received a suspicious person report of a male who had been driving a white Cadillac. The vehicle was the subject of surveillance until police were able to safely make the arrest of a male suspect. Numerous items, later identified as stolen from the Sommerfield Drive residence were found in the car.
Investigation into each of the aforementioned events and evidence gathered led to numerous charges against the male arrested.
Twenty-three year-old Andrew James DEBRUYCKER, DOB: 1992-11-15, of Regina, is facing a total of nineteen charges:
- two charges of Possession of Stolen Property Over $5000.00 [355(a) CC];
- four charges of Possession of Stolen Property Under $5000.00 [355(b) CC];
- three charges of Break and Enter to Commit Theft [348(1)(b) CC];
- Break and Enter with Intent [348(1)(a) CC];
- Theft Under $5000.00 [334(b) CC];
- Possession of a Controlled Substance [4(1) CDSA];
- Breach of Undertaking [145(3) CC] and
- six charges of Breach of Probation Order [733.1(1) CC].
DEBRUYCKER made his first court appearance on these charges in Provincial Court on Monday, January 25, 2016.
Police are continuing their investigations into other similar events. Anyone who has information to offer is encouraged to contact the Regina Police Service at 306-777-6500 or Crimes Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Police encourage Regina residents to make a habit of removing valuables, including keys, from their vehicles and the ensure that the overhead and man-doors of garages are securely locked once the owner had entered or left the premises. Investigation into incidents of auto theft and thefts-from-auto show that at least a third of the offences occur because vehicles are left unlocked, often with keys inside. The Regina Police Service vision states, “Working together to keep Regina safe”. Please be an active participant in the safety of our community.
