Two people are facing more than 50 charges combined after more than 20 gas stations were broken into across rural Hamilton and southern Ontario, where cigarettes were allegedly “the primary target.”
The overnight break-ins allegedly spanned from Feb. 24 until April 1, according to the Hamilton Police Service. Police said there are about 21 incidents they believe to be connected.
In each instance, the suspects allegedly arrived at the gas station in a stolen vehicle and forcibly gained entry by either smashing glass doors or using a hook attached to a vehicle to tear off the security gates. Police said this caused significant damage to the gas station.
“Cigarettes were the primary target,” police said in Tuesday’s news release.
Officers executed search warrants at two homes in Hamilton on April 8, which led to the arrest of two suspects: Christopher Claros, 37, and Nickolas Claros, 38.
Christopher Claros is facing 37 charges, including theft over $5,000, three counts of break and enter, and nine counts of possession of property by crime over $5,000.
Nickolas Claros has been charged with 15 offences, including three counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and seven counts of failure to comply with probation.
Investigators recovered seven stolen vehicles.
The charges have not been tested in court.
Police are asking anyone with additional information about the break-ins to contact them or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
