In what police are calling one of the biggest cases in P.E.I. history, Charlottetown Deputy Police Chief Brad MacConnell didn’t mince words when asked about it at a press conference at RCMP headquarters in Charlottetown Wednesday.
“Although he has gained some notoriety over the last couple of years, it is my opinion that this man is nothing more than a thief who stole children’s piggybanks; robbed them of their peace of mind and we’re happy that he’s in custody,’’ MacConnell said.
Richard Joseph Arsenault, 38, of New Annan has been charged, so far, with nine break and enters into a dwelling house and one charge of having in his possession instruments suitable for the purpose of breaking into a dwelling.
RCMP and Charlottetown Police Services formed a joint task force to investigate a rash of break and enters into homes in Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall, an investigation that began in July 2015.
RCMP Sgt. Leanne Butler said she anticipates five more charges will be laid and more could be laid on top of that as the investigation continues.
“This person turned into what we believe is our most prolific break and enter criminal known to police in Prince Edward Island to date,’’ Butler said.
Police aren’t saying exactly what led to Arsenault’s arrest, saying only that it was the right tip at the right time from a member of the public.
Police did confirm that Arsenault is a mixed martial arts fighter who owned a business in Summerside.
“As part of the profile we developed . . . we believe this person had a sense of confidence about him; felt that he was fairly capable; felt that if he got into a situation felt that he could get himself out of it,’’ MacConnell said. “Arsenault’s ability as a fighter, his training and physical fitness level was an accurate assessment of that.’’
Butler said the joint task force worked countless hours, often overtime, to bring this case to a head.
Most of the evidence police displayed on Wednesday was cash. There was tens of thousands of dollars and piggybanks and a cookie jar full of coins.
Butler and MacConnell repeated during the press conference that they hope this brings a sense of closure to residents in Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall.
Police didn’t say how many victims there were or how many homes were broken into.
“It was much more than a theft of money,’’ MacConnell said. “It was peace of mind that was robbed of people. Elderly people, children, everyone was affected by this.’’
Butler said everyone who had items stolen will be contacted by police.
She added that Arsenault has a lengthy criminal record “and has kept our communities on edge at best and violated at its worst as he allegedly entered and sometimes re-entered the homes of neighbours, families and community members.’’
MacConnell added that this investigation was so significant because of the number of victims, although he didn’t specify how many.
“I told investigators to take note of what they were involved in. An investigation like this comes across once or twice in your career and the (task force) knew it at the time and took great satisfaction.’’
In what police are calling one of the biggest cases in P.E.I. history, Charlottetown Deputy Police Chief Brad MacConnell didn’t mince words when asked about it at a press conference at RCMP headquarters in Charlottetown Wednesday.
“Although he has gained some notoriety over the last couple of years, it is my opinion that this man is nothing more than a thief who stole children’s piggybanks; robbed them of their peace of mind and we’re happy that he’s in custody,’’ MacConnell said.
Richard Joseph Arsenault, 38, of New Annan has been charged, so far, with nine break and enters into a dwelling house and one charge of having in his possession instruments suitable for the purpose of breaking into a dwelling.
RCMP and Charlottetown Police Services formed a joint task force to investigate a rash of break and enters into homes in Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall, an investigation that began in July 2015.
RCMP Sgt. Leanne Butler said she anticipates five more charges will be laid and more could be laid on top of that as the investigation continues.
“This person turned into what we believe is our most prolific break and enter criminal known to police in Prince Edward Island to date,’’ Butler said.
Police aren’t saying exactly what led to Arsenault’s arrest, saying only that it was the right tip at the right time from a member of the public.
Police did confirm that Arsenault is a mixed martial arts fighter who owned a business in Summerside.
“As part of the profile we developed . . . we believe this person had a sense of confidence about him; felt that he was fairly capable; felt that if he got into a situation felt that he could get himself out of it,’’ MacConnell said. “Arsenault’s ability as a fighter, his training and physical fitness level was an accurate assessment of that.’’
Butler said the joint task force worked countless hours, often overtime, to bring this case to a head.
Most of the evidence police displayed on Wednesday was cash. There was tens of thousands of dollars and piggybanks and a cookie jar full of coins.
Butler and MacConnell repeated during the press conference that they hope this brings a sense of closure to residents in Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall.
Police didn’t say how many victims there were or how many homes were broken into.
“It was much more than a theft of money,’’ MacConnell said. “It was peace of mind that was robbed of people. Elderly people, children, everyone was affected by this.’’
Butler said everyone who had items stolen will be contacted by police.
She added that Arsenault has a lengthy criminal record “and has kept our communities on edge at best and violated at its worst as he allegedly entered and sometimes re-entered the homes of neighbours, families and community members.’’
MacConnell added that this investigation was so significant because of the number of victims, although he didn’t specify how many.
“I told investigators to take note of what they were involved in. An investigation like this comes across once or twice in your career and the (task force) knew it at the time and took great satisfaction.’’
