More arrests in Sarnia police 'Project Bobcat' investigation

Four more people have been arrested and charged in the investigation of a crime spree in the City of Sarnia earlier this year.

The Sarnia Police Service (SPS) said on Friday, a total of eight individuals had been apprehended in their investigation, dubbed "Project Bobcat."

It started with officers looking into the thefts from vehicles in January.

Several people -- believed to be responsible for the thefts -- and the locations where stolen property was sold or traded were identified.

Items seized in a Cobden Street search warrant. Photo courtesy of the Sarnia Police Service. A traffic stop, then search warrant, was carried out at a home on Cobden Street resulting in the seizure of thousands of dollars worth of stolen property and drugs.

Four people were initially arrested and charged.

"This project, targeting property crimes in the City of Sarnia and led by the SPS Intelligence Unit, has now resulted in charges against eight individuals," a media release said Friday.

Police said the group was responsible for a range of crimes, including:

- Theft of tools and sporting equipment from local residents.

- Shoplifting tools from local retailers.

- High-end thefts of construction/landscaping vehicles.

- Trafficking stolen property and weapons.

- Theft of copper wire, notably from hydro and communications lines.

SPS said a number of criminal code search warrants were executed between January, 2025 and April 24, 2025 and a large cache of stolen tools, bicycles, retail property and methamphetamine was seized.

Police said on April 25, two Sarnia men ages 39 and 64-years-old, and two other men ages 31 and 54 of no fixed address had been charged.

SPS said a total of 55 criminal charges have been laid as a result of this project. "This investigation was the culmination of tireless investigative efforts led by our SPS Intelligence Unit," said Deputy Chief Ron Hansen. "I commend all the officers involved for their work on this case and am glad to see the victims of these crimes see their cases resolved. Again we see the connectivity between perceived individual "minor crimes" and how they are often part of larger criminal activities."

Six of those charged have been remanded into custody since their arrest and two are out of custody on release orders.

The total value of stolen property recovered is estimated at $150,000.