JASON PARKS
EDITOR
A man and woman on an alleged multi-province crime spree that included Prince Edward County were apprehended by the RCMP last week.
Tyler McPherson, 25 and Lisa Laviolette, 38, have been returned to Ontario to face a litany of auto theft, fraud and running-from-police charges.
Mr. McPherson, of no fixed address, has been charged with seven counts of motor vehicle theft, as many counts of theft under $5,000, a half dozen counts of theft over $5,000 as well as four break-and-enters, four fraud- under-$5,000 charges, possession of property obtained by crime, mischief, flight from a peace officer, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.
Ms. Laviolette of Nectaux Falls, Nova Scotia, was charged with much of the above, as well as three counts of break-and-enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, and failure to comply.
The pair allegedly went on a crime spree throughout Ontario at the end of July, stealing vehicles and fuel before abandoning them and moving on to others. A number of the automobile thefts took place in Prince Edward County.
The pair were finally caught in Atlantic Canada on Thursday after crashing the stolen vehicle they were driving.
On July 26th Police in Saint-Leonard, NB investigated a single-vehicle collision involving an SUV pulling a Jeep on a trailer. The driver had fled the scene before police arrived. The RCMP determined the SUV, trailer, and Jeep had all been reported as stolen.
After an investigation determined Mr. McPherson and Ms. Laviolette were persons of interest, the two were arrested and taken to provincial court in Edmunston, NB to face auto-theft and possession-of-property charges in that jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, a Canada-wide warrant for pair connected them to crimes in Ontario. It was issued some time around their appearance in the New Brunswick court. The pair were transferred to answer charges locally.
This is not the first time this apparent Bonnie and Clyde have run afoul of the law. In 2022, they were charged by the Annapolis District RCMP in a drugs, firearms and explosives investigation in Middleton, NS. They were among a number of people charged with possession of methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking.
Prince Edward OPP and police in several jurisdictions continue to investigate this matter. The OPP is asking anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may submit a tip to Crime Stoppers at www.ontariocrimestoppers.ca or 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
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