Cops Home In on Construction Material Theft

A 44-year-old man who planned to build himself a home with thousands of dollars worth of stolen construction material was arrested yesterday in L'Ange Guardien.

MRC des Collines Const. Martin Fournel said the man was living in a trailer on Hwy. 315 until he could complete his new digs.

Tactical officers executed a search warrant shortly after 6 a.m. and recovered windows, doors, cupboards, lumber and tools.

"He had enough to build his own home and probably enough to build another one," Fournel said.

Police also found a loaded .25-calibre pistol and a plastic bag containing what's believed to be a quantity of crack.

The arrest comes after an investigation into a series of thefts from upscale housing developments in Gatineau in recent weeks.

Two other search warrants executed Tuesday at residences in Gatineau and L'Ange Guardien in connection with the construction-site thefts resulted in five other arrests.

Fournel said three adults and two minors were arrested and released on a promise to appear in court.

The incidents, he said, are linked and noted there could be more arrests.

Theft and possession of stolen property charges are pending against the 44-year-old L'Ange Guardien man.