Security guard dodges getaway car at Oakville mall crime scene

A security guard was nearly rundown following a break-in at an Oakville mall.

Subsequently, a man has been charged with breaking into several Oakville stores as well as those in Niagara Region.

Halton police said the Oakville incidents took place across three days — July 7 to July 9 — and involved six businesses including Hudson’s Bay Company, Freshway Market and Tommy Hilfiger.

In each of the cases, a man entered the businesses by breaking through windows or forcing open doors.

Items stolen included clothing, grocery items and cash.

In the Hudson Bay incident, as the suspect was trying to make his getaway from the Oakville Place store, he drove aggressively toward a mall security guard who was trying to intervene. The security guard managed to get out of the way and there were no injuries.

Following an investigation, police arrested Spencer Dwyer, 34, of Hamilton. He is charged with:

• Five counts of break and entering committing an indictable offence
• Break and entering with intent to commit an indictable offence
• Six counts of wearing a disguise with intent
• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
• Three counts of operation of a motor vehicle while prohibited

Meanwhile, last week, police in Niagara Region charged Dwyer with a series of crimes.

Police there say on July 12 and 13 a person broke into four commercial and one residential property in St. Catharines and Niagara-on-the-Lake. During one incident a car was stolen.

Dwyer has since been charged with:

• Five counts of break and enter
• Theft of a motor vehicle
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon