A Hamilton resident missed the birth of their baby after their vehicle, phone, and personal belongings were stolen by “opportunistic teens,” say police.
The incident, which investigators say is part of a “crime spree” involving several youths, happened on Jan. 14 when the victim left their Honda CR-V running unattended when they went to retrieve their child from daycare
Hamilton Police Service (HPS) said to make matters worse, the victim’s spouse, who was expecting a baby, had been admitted to the hospital for medical complications earlier that day and later found out that they required emergency surgery.
Investigators said the partner tried calling the victim, who was unreachable as their phone and vehicle had both been stolen. In the end, they ended up contacting a neighbour, advising them to find their partner and send them to the hospital.
However, by the time the victim arrived, it was too late as the baby was already delivered, police said.
On Tuesday, investigators found the stolen vehicle with six youths inside. Two of them were located in the trunk, they said. The teens were all arrested and charged accordingly.
Another youth suspect was located and arrested at a nearby residence.
Four other teens were previously arrested and charged in connection with this series of thefts, bringing the total number to 11.
Police say some of the charges the accused are facing date back to vehicle thefts from recreation centres last September.
The accused cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Hamilton Police Service says it is continuing to investigate the involvement of other individuals in these crimes.
Residents are being urged to continue reporting suspicious activity to police and to provide them with information that could help in these ongoing thefts. Anyone with info is asked to contact Det. Const. K. Jarrett at 905-540-6307 or Det. Sgt. S. Groombridge at 905-546-2991, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
