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Sûreté breaks up theft ring
Kristina Edson
The Gazette
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Five Vaudreuil-Soulanges men have been arrested and charged in connection with a theft ring police say has been operating in the off-island area for at least 18 months.
The arrests follow a two-month investigation into an organization that has allegedly filled customized orders since September 2007, stealing specific items including snow blowers, snowmobiles, boats, trailers and, in one case, two goats.
The alleged ring leader, Philippe Leduc, 19, from Les Cèdres, faces 45 counts, including breaking and entering into homes and businesses, arson and theft of vehicles.
The crimes allegedly were committed in Coteau du Lac, Hudson, Les Cèdres, Rigaud, St. Lazare, St. Télesphore, Vaudreuil-Dorion and Vaudreuil-sur-le-Lac.
Leduc has also been charged in connection with crimes in the Montreal region, police say.
His accomplices include a 20-year-old St. Lazare man, a 21-year-old man from Vaudreuil-Dorion, as well as a minor from St. Lazare and a minor from Les Cèdres.
A sixth suspect is expected to face similar charges, said Sûreté du Québec Sgt. Jean-Charles Filion.
Police began investigating the theft ring in March after recovering $8,000 worth of fireworks in a house on St. Dominique Rd. in Les Cèdres.