Man charged with hardware store thefts worth $30,000

Windsor police cruiser at headquarters in Windsor, Ont., on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. (Melanie Kentner/CTV News Windsor)

Windsor police have charged a 28-year-old man following a string of hardware store thefts totalling $30,000.

Between Sept. 14, and Jan. 13, police received reports of 20 thefts involving the same suspect at hardware retailers throughout Windsor. Police say the total value of the stolen goods exceeded $30,000.

Officers from the Problem-Oriented Policing Unit (POP), with assistance from K9 officer Rolex, located and arrested the suspect outside of a residence in the 1600 block of Tecumseh Road East shortly before 1 p.m. on Jan. 20.

Armand Swope has been charged with 20 counts of theft not exceeding $5,000.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Windsor Police Service Target Base Unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 4350. They can also contact Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.catchcrooks.com.