Bail denied for man accused of dealership break-ins, vehicle thefts

LETHBRIDGE – Bail has been denied for a 22-year-old Calgary man, who was arrested late last year in connection with multiple vehicle thefts and a pair of dealership break-ins.

After hearing details of the incident during a bail hearing for Eric Christopher Smith – which are covered under a publication ban – the judge opted to keep him in custody, with the case then adjourned to Feb. 9.

In a media release from the Lethbridge Police Service, they say that officers responded to a report of a break and enter at Dunlop Ford on Mayor Magrath Drive on the evening of Thursday, Nov. 30, after an individual drove a truck into the garage door. Police say the male suspect took a set of keys, then fled into the parking area when confronted by an employee. The individual located the F350 truck that the keys belonged to and left the scene. It was later determined that the original truck used to ram the garage door had been stolen in Calgary.

As police processed the scene, the subject allegedly went to Bridge City Chrysler along the 3200 block of 1 Avenue South, using the F350 to drive into the garage door. Again, the individual took a set of keys, this time moving a Fiat Spyder down the street. Police believe the vehicle was moved so it could be stolen later. While attempting to move a second vehicle at the dealership, a security officer arrived, prompting the subject to flee in a Dodge Ram 1500.