The Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) has caught a suspected heat pump thief operating in the Rivière-des-Prairies and Hochelaga sectors.
Published at 2:27 p.m.
“On September 7, the SPVM East Criminal Investigation Department arrested the suspected perpetrator of a series of heat pump thefts that have taken place in recent weeks,” a police press release said.
Alain Labrie, 43, was arrested in Blainville. The SPVM had previously searched his home in the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district. The authorities confiscated four stolen heat pumps. Tools used for burglaries were also found in the suspect’s vehicle.
The suspected thief is said to have broken into the backyards of residential buildings that had a swimming pool at night. Before escaping, he is said to have disconnected the heat pump connected to it from the water and electricity networks.
The suspect appeared at the Montreal courthouse on September 12 to answer various theft charges. He was released on conditions.
The investigation is continuing to examine whether there may be a connection to other similar events.