Man charged after 4 St. Catharines restaurants broken into in an hour

A 31-year-old man is facing a slew of charges after four restaurants in St. Catharines were broken into within one hour early Tuesday morning.

Niagara police say two suspects first broke into a restaurant on Hartzel Rd. near Admiral Rd. at 1:08 a.m., but they fled the scene before workers arrived.

Nine minutes later, officers responded to another restaurant on Glendale Ave. A witness says the two suspects left the area in a stolen Nissan Altima. Investigators believe the suspects stole the car from an auto repair shop on Lincoln St. in St. Catharines on Monday.

Police say the suspects then broke into a third restaurant on Scott St. West near Hiscott St. at 2:02 a.m.

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Just 11 minutes after that, investigators say the suspects broke into a fourth restaurant on Martindale Rd. near Hannover Dr. An officer responding to the call then found the abandoned car in the area of Hillview Rd. and Kent St.

With the help of a police service dog, investigators found one of the suspects hiding in a backyard on Hillview Rd. around 2:57 a.m.

Police arrested and charged Raven James Tempest of St. Catharines with six different charges, including theft of motor vehicle and trespass at night.

Investigators continue to look for the second suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call 905 688 4111, option 3, ext. 1024233.

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