SUMMERSIDE – Theft, property damage, break-in and arson charges await a Summerside man following a crime spree in the city on Remembrance Day.
Just before 7 p.m. Sunday, police responded to a 911 call from a Water Street car dealership after its alarm was triggered.
According to a witness, a person had driven a vehicle into the building and was still inside. They also reported that a number of tires were on fire inside the building.
Summerside police allege the suspect had stolen a car from Township Chevrolet Buick GMC on Water Street.
“The suspect is believed to have had possession of the stolen vehicle throughout the day and then gained access to a Water Street dealership by driving the vehicle through the business’s bay doors. Then, while inside the building, set fire to tires located inside,” said Sgt. Jason Blacquiere of Summerside Police Services.
“During that time, representatives from the dealership went to the location to check on the alarm. They found the suspect there and called 911. The man then stole a second vehicle from the dealership’s garage and rammed through another bay door to escape,” Blacquiere said.
The man was still inside the vehicle when police located him.
The suspect refused to exit the vehicle or unlock the doors. Officers at the scene had to break two of the vehicle’s windows to remove him.
A 19-year-old Summerside appeared before a Justice of the Peace Monday afternoon and was charged.
“It’s definitely an unusual call,” said Blacquiere.
“No one was injured in the process of apprehending the man. And there is damage expected to the dealership.”
