Bradford man charged after thefts from many vehicles

York Regional Police have charged a Bradford man in connection with at least 18 occurrences where items were stolen from unattended vehicles, in most cases when parents were dropping their children off at school and on occasion when a young child was still in the vehicle during the theft.

On Monday, Dec. 18, officers conducted surveillance on a suspect and observed him as he attended community centres, Legions and schools in the Aurora area where people had been victimized by thefts from their vehicles. The suspect was observed trying to open car doors on unoccupied vehicles. At

approximately 5:30 p.m., the suspect approached an unoccupied vehicle at St. Jerome’s Catholic School located at 20 Bridgenorth Dr. He entered the vehicle and removed a purse and some other property. He left the area and drove to a parking lot in the area of Hollandview Trail where he discarded the purse in a dumpster. The man was stopped a short distance away and arrested.

Charged is Ronald Bray, 29, of Bradford, with Theft Under $5,000 x 18, Possession of Stolen Property Under $5,000, Attempt Theft Under $5,000.

Since the beginning of January, 2006, there have been over 90 incidents of thefts from unlocked, unattended vehicles in the Aurora area.

There were two occasions where children were inside the vehicle while the theft took place.

York Regional Police would like to remind the public IT IS NOT SAFE TO LEAVE CHILDREN IN AN UNATTENDED VEHICLE, no matter how short the time period. Always lock the doors and place any items of value in a place that is not visible to passers-by such as the glove

box or trunk. Do not hesitate to report suspicious vehicles or people to police. We will respond to these calls.

Investigators are interested in hearing from anyone who may have been a victim of this type of incident in the last year who has not yet reported it.

Anyone with information about this incident or the suspect is asked to contact the #1 District Criminal Investigation Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7141, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or leave an anonymous tip online at www.1800222 tips.com.