Brockville man arrested after allegedly stealing sentimental items from ex, demanding $6,000 for their return

The Brockville Police Service recently arrested a man for allegedly stealing numerous meaningful items from his ex girlfriend’s home, then attempting to extort her.

Just before 5 p.m. on Nov. 9, police received information regarding an incident involving property that was taken and being withheld from a female victim. Police say the victim was away from her home in the north end of Brockville for the day on Nov. 1. During that time, she had received multiple calls and messages from her 36-year-old, ex-boyfriend who was upset over circumstances in their relationship. The ex was demanding to meet the victim, police say. When she did not comply, he threatened to attend her residence and take property items.

When the woman arrived home that afternoon, she noticed her residence had been entered without consent. She then found that she was missing several important and sentimental items, including her recently deceased grandparents’ ashes and documents, several mementos and a MacBook laptop. Multiple attempts were made to retrieve the property by the victim, who was being pressured to meet the male subject face to face and also pay $6,000 for the return. The victim then began receiving threats that the property would be destroyed, and police were notified.

On Nov. 11, the suspect was arrested, and property was retrieved and returned to the victim. He was held in custody for a bail hearing after being charged with the offences of break and enter, extortion, harassing communication and uttering threats to destroy property.