A Kitchener man is facing a total of 54 criminal charges following a joint investigation by the West Grey and Hanover police services.
It started in July and involved the theft and use of stolen credit cards. It escalated this week with the theft of several different vehicles from residences in West Grey. One stolen vehicle was found in a field off Concession 2, completely burned. Another stolen vehicle was found abandoned in a bush.
Wednesday morning, Hanover police were advised of a collision involving a white Chevrolet Silverado on 2nd Street near 12th Avenue in Hanover. It had been reported stolen the night before.
The contents of the Silverado box had spilled onto the road, and one of the items was a metal gun safe that contained 12 rifles and 1 shotgun. These weapons and the safe been stolen during a break-in at a Varney-area residence the night before.
A short time later, Hanover officers spotted a man matching the description of the fail-to-remain driver, walking along 11th Street near 10th Avenue. He was arrested without incident.
The subject was in possession of suspected stolen credit cards and other property not owned by him. He was also wanted by Hanover Police on multiple charges related to the use of a stolen credit card at area businesses in July.
David Malott, 33, of Kitchener was held for a bail hearing in Walkerton and has been remanded into custody.
Stolen rifles, recovered by Hanover Police Service following a collision on Wednesday, August 14th. (photo supplied by Hanover Police Service)
He faces a total of 54 criminal charges that include possession of stolen firearms, illegal use of a credit card, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, break & enter, and arson.