Man Charged With 61 Offences in East-End Break-In Spree

A 45-year-old man is facing 61 charges after Ottawa police say he broke into two dozen businesses across Vanier and Overbrook over the past four months.

Police launched the investigation in February following a string of break-ins in the east-end neighbourhoods. Twenty incidents followed, all targeting businesses — some hit more than once. Officers arrested and charged the man with multiple counts of break and enter, mischief, possession of break-in instruments, and breaches of probation. He's set to appear in court next week.

The arrest is the latest in a series of property-crime enforcement actions by Ottawa Police. Earlier this year, a 29-year-old was charged with 120 offences linked to retail theft, break-and-enters, and fraud across the city between March and May. That case solved 40 separate investigations, police said.

Ottawa Police said the combined theft and damage from those incidents topped $100,000 — stolen property, damages caused, and victim costs combined.