Burlington man charged after an unusual crime spree

A 35-year-old Burlington man was taken to hospital for psychiatric evaluation following his arrest in connection with a series of unusual break and enters and car thefts Monday night.

Police say the man had been staying at the Admiral Inn in Burlington when another resident saw him lighting paper on fire and placing the lit pieces in the back seat of a Mercedes.

The car was set on fire and fire crews were called to put out the blaze at around 5:30 p.m.

The man ran away on foot.

At 8:30 pm, police say the man proceeded to a car dealership on Harvester Rd. where he took some keys from inside the business and unsuccessfully tried to start several cars in the lot.

The man gave up after 15 minutes and left on foot down Harvester Rd.

Police then say the 35-year-old man stole a Toyota Yaris parked on Harvester Rd. with the keys left in the exterior trunk.

Members of the Niagara Regional Police Service spotted the stolen vehicle at a McDonald’s drive thru in Niagara Falls.

The 35-year-old man was arrested and charged with breaking and entering and theft of a motor vehicle.

No charges were laid in connection to the incident involving the Mercedes, which belong to the man’s father.