A suspect has been arrested in conjunction with several petty thefts that took place in Lorette early Wednesday morning.

At 3:40 AM St. Pierre RCMP began investigating reports of suspicious individuals going through vehicles parked near Pioneer Trail. During their search, officers located two suspects, a male and a female, who both fled upon their detection. A foot pursuit ensued and police were able to apprehend the female, a 21-year-old from Winnipeg.

Charges of “Possession of Stolen Property” and “Failing to Comply with a Probation Order” are now pending against the female.

In an attempt to catch the outstanding suspect, Police Dog Services were called to the scene. Despite these efforts, the male has not yet been caught.

This rash of property crimes comes exactly one week after the decision to launch a Citizens On Patrol Program in Lorette. Though that fact may strike some residents as ironic, Corporal Terry Sundell says it should be seen as quite the opposite. Sundell is an RCMP liaison between the police force and the newly established COPP and says he was impressed by the community’s response.

“[When] news of vehicle break-ins began circulating throughout the community of Lorette, local residents shared information with each other, making everyone aware of what was going on.”

Sundell says homeowners also began passing along video surveillance footage to the police to aid in the identification of the suspects. He adds that many of them even helped each other locate stolen items, many of which had been discarded onto the streets.

“Although COPP in Lorette has not formally been established, the actions of local community members and this demonstration of cooperation and teamwork are exactly the sorts of things that we hope to achieve with the group once established,” comments Sundell.

Anyone interested in getting involved in Lorette’s new chapter of COPP is encouraged to email coppcoordinatorlorette@gmail.com.

Read more: Lorette COPP Looking To Stop Petty Crimes