Breaking into city center leads to multiple charges: police

A 36-year-old man faces multiple charges after a break-and-enter call in downtown Barrie led to a standoff with city police Monday morning.

At 5:52 a.m. on Nov. 4, police said officers responded to a report of a break-in at the Mary Street office building, located just south of Dunlop Street West.

When officers arrived, the building’s supervisor greeted them and led them to an unoccupied unit, which the man who had allegedly broken the building’s rear window had just entered.

Police said the suspect was found barricaded in an apartment in the same building a short time later. After driving several violations, he was eventually taken into custody.

Police also learned that the man, who is currently in custody, threatened the building manager and a confrontation ensued, resulting in the manager not being injured.

The defendant was transported to police headquarters on Fairview Road, where the investigation continues.

Arresting officers, assisted by detectives, confirmed that the male in custody had failed to comply with five previous parole orders dating back to March 2023.

As a result of the investigation, the police also confirmed that the suspect was responsible for breaking into the same building at around 05.30 in the morning on November 3.

Police said this entry was recorded on security camera and the identity of the person was unknown at the time of the report.

The defendant, of no fixed address, is charged with two counts of breaking into a place to commit a criminal offence, threatening death or bodily harm, assault with a weapon and five counts of disobeying the law. probation order.

Police said the man was taken into custody and is scheduled to appear via video at a bail hearing Nov. 8 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Barrie.