Police locate labyrinth of tunnels connecting tents to generator in Hamilton encampment
CTV
Hamilton police say that they discovered a series of “man-made holes and tunnels” during a patrol of a downtown encampment earlier this week.
Hamilton police say that they discovered a series of “man-made holes and tunnels” during a patrol of a encampment earlier this week.
In a news release, police said that officers were doing a “proactive encampment check” at Gage Park on Tuesday when they discovered a large hole approximately six feet in depth.
Police say that a further search of the area then revealed a “a series of tunnels” that were being used to connect nearby tents to a generator using a labyrinth of extension cords and other electrical wiring.
That generator, police say, was itself buried in another hole and concealed. It was then connected to a nearby City of Hamilton light pole with a power cord.
“Patrol officers, in conjunction with the Hamilton Police Encampment Engagement Team, investigated the matter and determined that a lone male was responsible for the mischief to the property,” police said in a news release. “The male was located in the area and arrested after a brief foot chase.”
Police said that the male taken into custody was charged with mischief to property over $5,000, failure to comply with a probation order and three drug-trafficking related offences.
The tents in the area have since been relocated due to safety concerns, police say.
