Regina police make arrest after 7 failed car thefts

A Regina police vehicle can be seen this file photo. (David Prisciak/CTV News)

If at first you don’t succeed, try again – a saying one man apparently followed during his alleged role in a recent string of failed car thefts in Regina.

The Regina Police Service (RPS) announced the arrest of the 41-year-old suspect on Monday following a string of incidents spanning more than a month.

The accused faces three counts of mischief over $5,000 and three counts of mischief under $5,000. Additionally, he faces six counts of failing to comply with the conditions of a probation order, six counts of attempting to steal a vehicle. He is also charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit an indictable offence.

The first incident was reported on March 7 on the 4000 block of Retallack Street. Officers were called after a resident spotted someone in her vehicle.

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When she approached the vehicle, the suspect got out and fled the scene. The suspect damaged the steering column and wiring during his attempted heist, police said.

On March 11, RPS learned of another attempted vehicle theft on the 700 block of King Street. The suspect allegedly broke a window and damaged the steering column and wiring in his attempt at stealing the vehicle.

Between March 11 and March 15, a vehicle on the 5900 block of Hague Crescent was targeted. It was damaged in a similar way to the previous incidents.

On March 30, officers learned of another attempted theft on the 100 block of McIntyre Street. The victim told RPS their vehicle’s door was pried open and its ignition and wiring were damaged in a similar way as the previous reports.

On April 7, another attempted theft was reported, this time on the 1300 block of Rae Street. The vehicle was broken into and suffered similar damage.

On April 9, the final theft was reported on the 6500 block of Rochdale Boulevard. The complainant called RPS and told officers the man was still inside her vehicle. The suspect fled, but officers found him nearby and arrested him.

Damage to the vehicle’s steering column and wiring matched the other reports.

Through its investigation, RPS charged the suspect in all seven attempted thefts.

The accused made his first appearance on his charges on April 13.