A 41-year-old man faces charges in Sydney Provincial Court today, after Cape Breton Regional Police responded to reports of theft at two locations in Sydney Mines.

On the morning of September 7^th, officers responded to McPhee Metals where employees arrived at work and found the door had been forced open overnight, and cash was gone from a safe that was broken inside. Through video surveillance, officers were able to identify a suspect. Shortly after, officers were also called to Foodland, where employees had observed video footage of a person taking merchandise during the prior evening of September 6^th. Officers were able to identify this person as the same suspect from the break and enter at McPhee Metals.

Police located the suspect at a residence in Sydney Mines, where he was arrested. After further investigation, John Joseph Hawkins was charged with Break and Enter, Mischief, Possession of Break-in Instruments, Theft over $5,000 and Theft under $5,000.