A Quebec man who was previously arrested on suspicion of stealing equipment from a police vehicle is now facing more than 140 charges in connection with a series of violent and property-related crimes across the Greater Toronto Area and Quebec.
Carl Chateauvert, 34, was suspected of smashing the rear window of a parked police vehicle in Toronto and stealing police equipment before fleeing the area on April 30, the Toronto Police Service (TPS) said in a May 4 news release.
Chateauvert was arrested on May 2, and was charged with mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000, and failure to comply with a release order.
In an updated news release on May 6, Toronto police said Chateauvert was identified by their major crime unit as the same suspect linked to a series of vehicle thefts last year.
“In April 2024, officers from the 51 Division Major Crime Unit began investigating a series of thefts from motor vehicles across the Greater Toronto Area,” said the TPS. “The man arrested has since been identified as the suspect in that investigation, as well as numerous other incidents across Toronto.”
After carrying out a search warrant at a Toronto residence on May 2, officers discovered evidence in connection with the vehicle theft investigation, including stolen items and identification of victims.
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Police say that Chateauvert used various aliases to evade authorities and was involved in multiple incidents where he failed to stop for police. Chateauvert engaged officers in several vehicle pursuits in downtown Toronto and across the Greater Toronto Area.
Chateauvert is also facing charges by Toronto police in relation to two stabbing incidents, which resulted in life-threatening injuries.
On January 29, police say Chateauvert stabbed two men in Scarborough, with one victim being taken to hospital for serious injuries. Another man was in the hospital with critical injuries after a separate stabbing incident took place in Toronto on May 1.
“Mr. Chateauvert is now facing a total of 115 criminal charges in Toronto, and 28 Criminal charges from police services across the Greater Toronto Area, and Quebec,” police said.
Toronto police charged Chateauvert with aggravated assault, 39 counts of failing to comply with a release order, 16 counts of mischief under $5,000, and 13 counts of theft under $5,000, among many other offences.
Multiple counts of assault with a weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, fraud under $5,000, possessing property obtained by crime over $5,000, and using a credit card obtained by crime are some of the other charges laid by Toronto police.
Chateauvert is scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Center on May 6, police say.
“Investigators believe there may be more victims,” police say. “An image of the accused has been released.”
Toronto police ask that anyone with information related to this case contact police or send anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers.
