Barrie police say they've arrested a man they believe is linked to a series of break-and-enters and thefts in the city's east end.
Officers were called to a home in Eugenia Street on Wednesday after a reported early-morning break-in. The homeowner reported they got a bank alert around 4 a.m. about suspicious activity on their credit cards. They later discovered someone had entered their garage and taken a wallet with a credit card from a vehicle.
Police say the credit card was used at a convenience store on St. Vincent Street later that morning, with other attempted transactions declined by the bank over suspected fraud. Surveillance video reportedly shows a male suspect inside the store between 4:25 and 4:35 a.m. while the stolen credit card was being used.
Early on Friday, police were in the area of St. Vincent Street on an unrelated call when they saw someone matching the suspect description and wearing similar clothing to the person seen in the video.
The man was taken into custody.
Investigators believe he may also be connected to other thefts and break-ins involving homes, vehicles, garages, and sheds in the east end, including the areas of Grove Street, Duckworth Street, St. Vincent Street, and Blake Street.
Residents are asked to review home security or dash camera footage captured during the early morning hours of March 25 through March 27, 2026, and report any suspicious activity or persons. Anyone with information or video footage that may assist investigators is asked to contact the investigating officer via email at jweatherhead@barriepolice.ca.
The 28-year-old suspect has been charged with:
- Break, enter a dwelling house with the intent to commit an indictable offence
- Theft under $5,000
- Fraud under $5,000
- Use of credit card
- Possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000
"Residents are reminded to ensure their vehicle doors are locked, valuables are removed or secured, and garage entry points are properly secured to help prevent opportunistic thefts," police said in a news release.
