Two Barrie men have been charged after police investigated a break-and-enter at a vacant commercial property on Blake Street.
Police say they responded on the afternoon of Feb. 24 to report of suspicious activity at a former restaurant that has been closed since a 2022 fire.
A witness reportedly told police that they saw two people leave the building with what appeared to be bags of copper wire.
The witness said the materials were loaded into a vehicle, and one of the males drove off while the other left the area on foot.
Upon arrival, Barrie police said officers “quickly located and detained one suspect nearby,” and through an investigation, they “learned the second suspect had attended a local scrap metal facility to sell the materials.”
Officers visited the business and less than an hour after the initial call, located and arrested the second individual in the area of Anne Street and John Street, according to police.
Police say they believe the copper wire and other materials were removed from inside the vacant building after the suspects gained entry through a damaged window.
As a result of the investigation, two Barrie men, ages 33 and 39, have each been charged with:
- Break and Enter with Intent to Commit an Indictable Offence
- Possession of Stolen Property under $5,000
- Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime
- Additionally, the 39-year-old individual is also charged with Possession of Break-In Instruments and Breach of Probation.
Police encourage residents to report suspicious activity immediately. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Barrie Police Service.
