Full Breakdown
Hamilton City Vehicle Theft Leads to Arrest and Ongoing Manhunt
By Drooid · · How we work
July 22 Break-in and Vehicle Theft
Around midnight on July 22, 2026, two individuals entered a City of Hamilton facility in central Hamilton and stole several sets of keys for municipal fleet vehicles. Using the keys, the suspects took two city-owned vehicles from the site. Hours later, officers in another jurisdiction stopped one of the stolen vehicles for stunt driving; the vehicle had not yet been reported stolen. Detectives with Hamilton police’s auto-theft and robbery unit later linked the seized vehicle to the break-in. A second stolen vehicle was recovered during an unrelated investigation, and both vehicles have been returned to the city.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Detectives identified the two suspects and obtained arrest warrants. A 55-year-old man, Mark McCombe, was apprehended in Toronto as he attempted to board an international flight. The second suspect, a 35-year-old named Brandon Poole, remains at large and is believed to have no fixed address, frequenting the Hamilton, Niagara and Burlington areas. Hamilton police continue to request information from the public and have provided a Crime Stoppers tip line for leads.
Charges and Legal Status
Both men are charged with break-and-enter with intent to commit theft, disguise with intent, and theft of a motor vehicle. The charges have not yet been proven in court, and the suspects are presumed innocent until adjudicated. Police have not released images of the suspects.
Ongoing Search and Community Impact
The search for Poole remains active, with police urging anyone with relevant information to contact Hamilton police or Crime Stoppers anonymously. The incident prompted a review of key-control procedures for municipal fleet vehicles and highlighted the need for inter-jurisdictional coordination when stolen vehicles cross municipal boundaries. The return of the vehicles mitigated immediate operational disruptions for city services, but the case underscores vulnerabilities in municipal asset security.