Regina man accused of stealing 10 vehicles in 10-day span

A Regina man suspected of stealing 10 vehicles from 10 places in a span of just 10 days now is facing more than 20 charges, with more possible.

Police said all of the vehicles were left unlocked and all had their keys left inside.

“Theft of auto is almost always a crime of opportunity,” Insp. Cory Lindskog of the Regina Police Service’s Investigative Services Division said in a media release. “This investigation is an important reminder for the public to always lock vehicle doors and take the keys out of the vehicle.

“Our Stolen Auto Unit works diligently and successfully to track and recover vehicles once they have been stolen, but we all have a role to play in preventing auto theft from the start.”

The spree started Aug. 2, with a vehicle stolen from Green Crescent in Regina. The release said officers saw the vehicle, but it drove away. It was subsequently recovered by the RCMP in Avonlea.

The other thefts reported occurred on:

• Aug. 3, when the Mounties got a call about a vehicle stolen from a business in Wilcox. The RCMP subsequently found the vehicle abandoned in Aylesbury;
• Aug. 5, when the RCMP was told of a vehicle stolen from a house in Milestone. The vehicle, which was involved in a hit-and-run crash in Regina, was later found in the Queen City by city police;
• Aug. 5, when a vehicle was taken from a residence in Avonlea. That vehicle also was recovered in Regina;
• Aug. 6, when the Mounties were told that a vehicle had been stolen from a house in Emerald Park. Again, the vehicle was found in Regina.
• Aug. 8, when three vehicles were stolen — one from a residence in Avonlea, one from a house in Aylesbury, and one from Windfield Road in Regina. All three were eventually recovered in Regina; the vehicle stolen from Aylesbury was involved in a hit-and-run collision in Regina;
• Aug. 10, when the Mounties got a report about a vehicle that had been stolen from a residence in White City. That vehicle was found abandoned in Wilcox; and
• Aug. 11, when a vehicle was taken from a residence in Wilcox. Regina police saw the vehicle being driven in the city and disabled it using a spike belt. The driver took off on foot, but was tracked down by a canine unit.

In addition to the vehicle thefts, the RCMP also was told of the theft of two guns from a residence in Avonlea on Aug. 6. One of the guns was later found in Regina.

A 21-year-old man was charged with nine counts of theft of a motor vehicle, four counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, two counts of failing to stop after an accident, and one count each of theft under $5,000, break and enter with intent, dangerous driving, and flight from a peace officer.

He also faces four gun-related charges and one charge of breaching probation.

According to police, the investigation is not over and further charges could be laid.