Officers, ERT and K9 track suspect after calls on Fifteenth Ave N. and Eighth St. N.; we explain the charges, penalties, and simple prevention tips

By NetNewsLedger Staff
Category: Regional Crime Report
Date: November 19, 2025

KENORA, Ont. — A man is in custody after a string of late-night residential break-ins in Kenora.

Around 12:00 a.m. CST on Nov. 19, the Kenora OPP responded to reports of a suspicious person and two break and enters in the areas of Fifteenth Avenue North and Eighth Street North.

The suspect fled on foot before officers arrived.

Members of the Kenora OPP, the OPP Emergency Response Team (ERT), and the OPP Canine Unit searched the neighbourhood and arrested a suspect shortly after 1:00 a.m.

Charged: Joshua GARDNER, 43, of Dryden — two counts of Break and Enter.

GARDNER was held in custody and is scheduled for a bail hearing in the Ontario Court of Justice (Kenora) on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025.

Note: The charges have not been proven in court. The accused is presumed innocent unless and until found guilty.

What the Charges Mean — and Possible Penalties

Break and Enter (Criminal Code s.348)

• Plain language: Entering a place without permission with intent to commit an indictable offence (often theft or mischief), or committing an indictable offence after entering.

• Penalties depend on the place:

  • Dwelling-house (home): Indictable only, maximum penalty: life imprisonment.

  • Non-dwelling (e.g., businesses, sheds, garages not attached to a home): Indictable up to 10 years, or summary (lower maximum).

• Sentencing factors include: whether occupants were home, property damage, prior record, and whether violence or weapons were involved.

Simple Ways to Protect Your Home or Business

Do the “9 p.m. Routine”

• Lock doors, windows, and vehicles. Turn on exterior lights. Bring valuables and keys inside.

Harden entry points

• Solid doors, 3-inch screws in door strike plates, quality deadbolts, window pins or security film on sidelights.

• For businesses: roll-down grilles/shutters, reinforced rear doors, and upgraded locks.

Light it up

• Motion lights and dusk-to-dawn lighting at doors, driveways, and alleys. Trim shrubs to remove hiding spots.

Cameras and alarms

• Doorbell cams and monitored alarms are strong deterrents. Aim cameras at your property and post signage.

Don’t advertise valuables

• Keep bikes, tools, and electronics out of sight. Close blinds at night.

Inventory & serial numbers

• Photograph high-value items and record serial numbers. This helps police recover stolen property.

Neighbour networks

• Join or start a Neighbourhood Watch. Share camera coverage and suspicious-activity alerts.

When away

• Use timers on lights, pause deliveries, and ask a neighbour to check in. For businesses, schedule random checks.

Report suspicious activity

• Call 911 if a crime is in progress. Non-emergency OPP: 1-888-310-1122. Anonymous tips: Crime Stoppers 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).