A 24-year-old Hamilton man is in custody and facing 10 charges after Halton Regional Police cracked a string of break-ins that rattled Burlington’s Palmer neighbourhood in late May. King Umuhizi was arrested June 23 when investigators searched a Hamilton home, and he now waits for a bail hearing in Milton.
Police say Umuhizi hit six homes during the morning of May 23, 2026, making it inside two and trying to get into four others. Every entry happened through unlocked rear patio doors. Stolen credit and bank cards from those break-ins were used to make unauthorized purchases in Burlington and Hamilton.
When officers from the 3 District Criminal Investigations Bureau searched the Hamilton residence, they found stolen electronics and jewelry. Umuhizi was arrested there and has been held ever since.
The charges laid by the Halton Regional Police Service include two counts of break and enter, four counts of attempted break and enter, three counts of fraud under $5,000, and one count of failing to comply with probation.
Residents of the Palmer neighbourhood, a central Burlington area bordered by Guelph Line, Appleby Line, Upper Middle Road, and the QEW, can take some reassurance from the arrest. The suspect took advantage of unlocked doors, highlighting how a simple security step can make a difference.
Property crime has been a concern across Halton Region, though recent numbers show progress. According to police statistics, break and enters region-wide dropped 13.5 per cent compared to the previous year, from 155 to 134 incidents. In Burlington, they fell 8.5 per cent, but the city still has the highest rate in Halton at 172 break and enters per 100,000 residents.
Police are still asking anyone with information to call them or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers of Halton.
