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Concerns mount as South Lambton break-ins continue

May 4, 2019

The arrest of two men in St. Clair Township has done little to quell concerns of a growing number of break-ins in Central Lambton.
Lambton OPP say two men were picked up on Charlemont Line after someone reported a suspicious truck in the area. It has been stolen from Wallaceburg a few hours earlier.
The men were found walking along Kimball Sideroad. Police arrested David Bennett, 30 of Wallaceburg and Matthew Miller, 33, of Walpole Island. They were charged with possession of property obtained by crime and possession of break-in instruments.
South Lambton has been plagued by break-ins recently. In St. Clair Township, council has asked for a meeting with the OPP after several homes in the southern part of the township were broken into, robbed and ransacked – one while the family was dealing with the death of a loved one.
Enniskillen Township Mayor Kevin Marriott says there have been at least a half dozen break-ins in his community and people are worried saying they are “suspicious of every vehicle” going down their country road.
“People are on edge here. South of Brigden is…unbelievable.”
OPP recently released a picture of a gray SUV they believe is involved and Marriott says that’s led to residents following SUV’s down the road to get their licence plate numbers.
Social media lit up again this weekend after more break-ins with citizens trying to describe the SUV involved.
In Brooke-Alvinston, Mayor Dave Ferguson has heard the same concerns in his community as Marriott has. Both he and the Enniskillen mayor plan to approach the OPP with their concerns.
Marriott believes the OPP should be sharing more information with the public. “If they would report every incident, every time, we could maybe catch these people and slow it down because right now, it is running rampant,” says Marriott.
In a news release officials say the Lambton OPP is “very aware of the property crimes occurring in South Lambton and continue to rigorously pursue” all leads into the crimes adding there are several investigations underway.

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