1'*' Police believe they've solved area theft spree of $150,000 By KAREN SMITH The Champion Police believe they put a dent in local break-ins and car thefts in laying more than 60 charges against two men. Steven Parchem, 19, of Joyce Boulevard and Darryl Nessman, 20, of no fixed address face the charges in connection with numerous car thefts and break-ins at north Halton homes and businesses. The charges stem from about 20 break-ins in Milton and Halton Hills as well as numerous car thefts between March 21 and May 10. The value of goods stolen totalled more than $150,000. "We think we've cleared up a lot of break and enters through the charges," said Del. Sgt. Ron Welsh of Halton Regional Police. "We hope we've been able to stem the tide of that type of criminal activity for now." Police set up a task force to crack down on an extra- ordinary number of break-ins and car thefts reported in the area, he said. The special unit involved about 10 officers with help from the OPP, and the investigation lasted two months. The suspects were arrested Monday after police observed two men in a stolen GMC Jimmy parked behind Tee-Comm Electronics on Main Street East at 6 a.m. The pair got out of the vehicle carrying back packs and a camcorder case and when approached by police ran off. Eventually two men were arrested by Halton police's tactical rescue team in a residential area between Main Street and Laurier Avenue with help from the canine unit. Following a search of the back packs, police seized more than $5,000 cash believed to have been taken during break-ins at businesses in Caledon and Bolton. Officers also recovered two ounces of marijuana during a body search. The GMC Jimmy had been stolen during a break-in in Peel region. At the same heist, the culprits dumped off a 1989 Chevrolet pick-up truck stolen from a MacKenzie Drive home. The north Halton break-ins include a March 26 hit HALTON REGIONAL POLILE: photo Some of the items police recovered in con- nection with their recent arrests were firearms (foreground and left) and cash, including the larger bills at top left. at Trafalgar Square, 310 Main St. The culprits broke through walls of adjoining businesses ovemight and made off with some cash and $23,000 worth of com- puters. The computers were later recovered from Sixteen Mile Creek, Det. Sgt. Welsh said. A collection of guns found dumped in a rural area on Fifth Line, south of Steeles Avenue, is believed to have been stolen in another recent break-in at a busi- ness. Mr. Nessman, formerly of Milton, faces charges of theft over $5,000, breach of probation, possession of a firearm without a firearms acquisition certificate, pos- session of a narcotic, 19 counts of break and enter, six counts of theft under $5,000 and four counts of pos- session of stolen property. Mr. Parcherm is charged with attempted break and enter, theft over $5,000, breach of probation, five counts of theft under $5,000, 18 counts of break and enter and two counts of possession of stolen property. Det. Sgt. Welsh said obtaining cash was the major motive for the crimes. The suspects appeared in Ontario Court (provincial division) in Milton for a bail hearing Wednesday. The pair were denied bail and told to retum to court May 26 to set a trial date. Halls will stress hospital efficiency f rom HOSPITAL on page 1 have any insight after the session." The commission appointed by the provincial gov- ernment is currently overseeing restructuring of Ontario hospitals. WEEKEND MAY 17-18 IN-TOWN ONLY Sears/541 (P) Sears /77 (P) The volunteer body has the same authority as the minister of health and can order hospitals to close, amalgamate or change the services provided. The commission's report isn't expected until September. JCIore ci,)nnited Io atten9' JOL $12 for members $15 for non-members For more information, QP7Q { please contact Corey at:878-0U"' ADTprotecting what you love. The ADT SAFEWATCH® Home Security Alarm System Make sure your family is home safe. While we understand that you can't put a value on the things, and people you love, you will certainly appreciate the value of an ADT SAFEWATCH® Home Security Alarm System. ADT has become a trusted provider of protection. For your home. Your family. Your possessions. ADT, the world's largest, SATISFACTION oldest and most respected ~'913 wl security systems company. Protect what you love, call ADT for details 1-800-567-5675 W www.adt.ca RC1-97030 *5 yar mnt rin 1gre et required. SAVE $2 0 0 ...