Perth County OPP helped reunite a local business owner with his stolen equipment, and charged one man in conenction with the thefts.
Earlier in the week, Rapien Excavating reported almost all of its equipment was stolen overnight Sunday, including a skid steer, mini excavator, a dump truck, and a trailer.
On February 25 and 26, Perth County OPP with assistance from Huron-Perth Community Street Crimes Unit (CSCU), Perth County Auto Theft Unit, Grey-Bruce CSCU, and Huron County OPP executed search warrants at a residential property in the Municipality of North Perth.
There, a 50-year-old man was arrested and charged with eight counts of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, two counts of possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and three counts of altering a Vehicle Identification Number.
Police say all property from the theft was recovered and returned to its owner, including the 2010 Mack Granite dumb truck, which was recovered in the City of London by Middlesex OPP.
Further, multiple other stolen items from thefts that occurred in surrounding areas, reaching as far as the Greater Toronto Area were recovered.
The accused was released following a show cause hearing and is scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Stratford next month.
Rapien Excavating owner Isaac Rapien sent out his thanks to all who helped in the search.
