Hamilton police say one man has been arrested and a second remains wanted after two City of Hamilton vehicles were taken during a break‑in at a municipal facility late on July 22.
What happened
Police say the incident unfolded at approximately 12:24 a.m. on July 22 when two people entered a city facility in central Hamilton and took several sets of keys that belong to city fleet vehicles. The suspects then left the site in a stolen municipal vehicle.
Investigators later learned one of the stolen vehicles was stopped in another jurisdiction for stunt driving and was seized at that time; police say that vehicle had not yet been reported stolen when it was stopped. The second city vehicle was recovered as part of an unrelated investigation. Both vehicles have since been returned to the City of Hamilton, police said.
Investigative steps and arrest
Detectives with Hamilton police’s Break, Enter, Auto Theft and Robbery Unit worked the case and linked the vehicle stopped elsewhere to the break‑in. Warrants were issued after investigators identified two suspects.
Police say a 55‑year‑old suspect was arrested in Toronto while attempting to board a flight out of the country. A second suspect, a 35‑year‑old, remains wanted and is known to frequent the Hamilton, Niagara and Burlington areas.
Police say the second suspect is "believed to have no fixed address."
Charges and public appeal
Each man faces charges of break and enter with intent to commit theft, disguise with intent, and theft of a motor vehicle, according to Hamilton police. Authorities are asking anyone with information that could help locate the 35‑year‑old to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
- Incident date and time: July 22 at approximately 12:24 a.m.
- Location: a City of Hamilton facility in central Hamilton
- Suspects: one arrested (55), one wanted (35, believed to have no fixed address)
- Charges: break and enter with intent to commit theft; disguise with intent; theft of a motor vehicle
- Outcome: both vehicles recovered and returned to the city
| When | What |
|---|---|
| July 22, ~12:24 a.m. | Two individuals enter a city facility and steal sets of keys; leave in a city vehicle |
| Later | One stolen vehicle stopped elsewhere for stunt driving and seized; second vehicle recovered in an unrelated investigation |
| Recent | 55‑year‑old arrested in Toronto attempting to board a flight; 35‑year‑old wanted |
Local impact and context
The theft of municipal vehicles and keys raises operational and public‑safety concerns for Hamilton. City fleet vehicles — used for everything from road maintenance to bylaw and parks operations — are critical to daily municipal services. When vehicles are taken, even temporarily, it can disrupt scheduled work and stretch thin crews who must cover missed shifts or respond to emergent issues.
Vehicle thefts that involve access to secured municipal property also prompt questions about site security and key control. In recent years, Canadian municipalities have seen an uptick in vehicle and equipment thefts that target municipal yards and unsecured fleet assets. While police recovered both Hamilton vehicles in this case, the incident will likely provoke internal reviews at the city for how keys and fleet access are managed.
Residents who observe suspicious activity around municipal facilities or encounter the person described by police are urged to contact Hamilton Police Service or provide tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Community reports can be crucial when a suspect is believed to be transient or travelling across municipal boundaries.
Hamilton police are continuing their investigation and have not released the names of the suspects. Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives with the Break, Enter, Auto Theft and Robbery Unit.
