Accused in theft ring back in court on Friday
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Updated: July 27, 2009 5:23 PM
A pair of Kamloops men facing charges in connection with a $3-million theft ring will return to court this Friday (July 31).
Zachary Martin and Cameron McElroy have been in custody since June 2 and were denied bail earlier this month.
They have been charged in connected to a string of high-end break-and-enters stretching from B.C. to Winnipeg.
At a press conference in June, Kamloops RCMP Sgt. Scott Wilson described the “sophisticated” break-ins as “organized crime” with possible gang links.
According to Mounties, the two 20-year-old suspects made off with more than $3-million worth of jewelry, cigarettes, electronics and cash from a number of local businesses over a nine-month span.
McElroy and Martin are also charged in connection with break-ins in other Interior communities including Merritt, Salmon Arm, 100 Mile House, Kelowna and Penticton.
In addition to the B.C. charges, both were charged in Winnipeg in February for a separate alleged break-in. They were free on bail from Manitoba at the time of their arrests in Kamloops.
Charges are also pending against both men in Regina.
Police believe the suspects cut the phone lines and disabled security systems during the break-ins, leaving them ample time to gain access to safes.
McElroy, a Thompson Rivers University business student, is facing 19 charges; Martin is facing 19 charges.
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