A 14-year-old boy from Scarborough is in custody facing a stack of charges after a violent home invasion in Burlington’s Roseland neighbourhood in April, and Halton Regional Police Service say they are still hunting for the rest of the group.
The arrest happened on June 9, nearly seven weeks after five masked suspects smashed their way into a home on April 22 around 3:45 a.m. They broke a glass panel on the front door, confronted the people inside, and demanded valuables. When one resident fought back, they were hit in the head with an unknown object, an injury that needed medical care. The suspects fled without taking anything.
Police say the same group tried to break into a home in southeast Oakville about 45 minutes earlier. A resident there woke up to loud banging at the front door and saw suspects kicking the door and using a hammer. The person called 9-1-1, and the group took off. In both cases, the five suspects were described as slim males wearing dark clothing, hoods, and balaclavas, and they were seen driving a dark-coloured sedan.
The teen now faces charges of robbery, disguise with intent (two counts), possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, failing to comply with a release order, and break and enter with intent. He was held in custody and awaits a bail hearing in Milton. Because of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, police cannot release his name.
The arrest comes as many Burlington residents have been on edge following a string of break-ins in the area. A community meeting was held at St. Raphael’s Church to talk about safety, and some people have even hired private security guards. Mayor Marianne Meed Ward has said she hears the anxiety, even though overall crime numbers have dipped.
Police are still working to track down the other four suspects. Anyone with information can call the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2316 or Crime Stoppers of Halton anonymously.
