Vigilant neighbour helps police nab 19-year-old breaking into vehicle

Note: This story has since been updated. Updated story here.

Many of us simply tune out the sound of a car alarm in the middle of the night, but thanks to one neighbour who took the time to look around, Kingston Police were able to arrest a local man suspected of breaking into a car.

At approximately 4:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, a resident on Sierra Avenue in Kingston’s west-end Cataraqui Woods neighbourhood heard a car alarm going off nearby. When he looked out his window, the neighbour saw two young people running away from his neighbour’s car, parked in the driveway across the street. The man quickly got in his own vehicle and chased the suspects, according to Kingston Police, and was able to catch one of the two suspects. The vigilant neighbour then called police who responded and took custody of the 19-year-old. The other suspect was able to get away, according to Const. Kim Siemonsen, media relations officer for Kingston Police, although there are some conflicting reports from the public about which of the two suspects was taken into police custody.

The investigation revealed that the suspect(s) had damaged the vehicle in order to gain entry. The 19-year-old was arrested and charged with: theft under $5,000, mischief under $5,000, possession of stolen property, and prowling by night.

Those in the neighbourhood collected enough funds to purchase a $100 gas card for their diligent neighbour to thank him for his efforts.