St. Catharines brothers busted for multiple thefts around the city

A pair of St. Catharines brothers have been busted after Niagara Police determined they were responsible for a number of thefts around the city.

Police had been investigating a series of property crimes in the north end of St. Catharines near the lake, including theft from unlocked parked vehicles, theft from porches, as well as break and enters in the area east of Niagara Street and north of the QEW.

On June 10, the brothers stole packages from the porch of a house in the area of Concord Avenue and Garnet Street and were identified from closed circuit camera footage.

On June 13 at 4:10 pm, officers saw and quickly arrested one of the brothers rummaging through a Ford Focus parked on Catherine Street.

As well as contents from the car, when police searched his backpack, they found four stolen credit cards linked to thefts from parked cars.

On Tuesday (June 14) the police searched their Facer Street home and found stolen property linked to at least seven other incidents of theft in St. Catharines, charging the brother as well this time.

Investigation is indicating the pair have been fraudulently using stolen credit cards at a number of businesses in St. Catharines.

Clinton Richard Cole, 40, of St. Catharines has been charged with two counts of theft under $5,000, a global charge of possession of stolen property under $5,000, a separate count of possession ofstolen property under $5,000, three counts of unauthorized use of a credit card and failing to comply with probation.

Joshua Stephen Coles, 37, of St. Catharines has been charged with theft under $5,000, a global charge of possession of stolen property under $5,000, unauthorized use of a credit card and committing break and enter.

The brothers were held in custody to attend video bail hearings at the courthouse in St. Catharines and are still being held in custody.

This investigation remains ongoing by detectives.  Anyone with information is asked to call 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1024233.