Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have arrested a Wheatley man following a robbery investigation stretching back to the summer of 2024.
Essex County officers and members of the Community Street Crime Unit looked into at least 18 "smash-and-grab" robberies at businesses in Kingsville and Leamington.
The OPP say the crimes occurred between August 29, 2024, and January 13, 2025.
A 38-year-old man is now charged with 16 counts of mischief under $5,000, 16 counts of break-and-enter to commit theft, 14 counts of wearing a disguise to commit an offence, eight counts of possession of break-in instruments, and two counts of break-and-enter to commit an indictable offence.
The charges have not been proven in court.
The man has been released and will have a chance to respond to the counts on June 27.