Cobourg police are seeking the public’s help in identifying three suspects in a theft attempt late Sunday afternoon (December 28) that occurred as police were distracted by a bomb threat.
At around 5:25 p.m. on Sunday, officers responded to a business in the area of DePalma Drive and Burnham Street just south of Highway 401 after staff received a note indicating there was a bomb in the store.
Police evacuated the store and, with guidance from the Ontario Provincial Police’s explosives disposal unit, conducted a thorough search of the store. They did not find any suspicious items.
While officers were responding to the bomb threat, police received a report of an attempted theft at a business near King Street and Spring Street in downtown Cobourg.
Police determined that the same three suspects were involved in both incidents.
“Police remind the public that creating diversions to draw officers away from real emergencies is both dangerous and illegal,” reads a media release from the Cobourg Police Service.
“Intentionally misleading police or making false reports can result in a charge of public mischief under Section 140 of the Criminal Code of Canada, which carries penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment,” the media release adds. “Such actions waste critical emergency resources, put the community at risk, and undermine public safety.”
Police are working to identify the three suspects connected to these incidents and have provided surveillance photos.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cobourg Police Service at 905-372-6821 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 or visiting stopcrimehere.ca. Tips provided to Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a cash reward.
