Hamilton man nabbed trying to steal pot plant

Police arrested a Hamilton man after a late night pot plant robbery in the east end of Hamilton Saturday.

Just after midnight, a neighbour living on Craigmiller Avenue saw a man in a hoodie skulking around the street.

The man was carrying a flashlight and some gardening tools and had a bandana covering his face, police say.

The neighbour called police when the man went into a back yard, and they arrived just as he was walking down the driveway carrying a marijuana plant.

“He must have known it was growing back there,” said Staff Sgt. Dave Dunbar. “We grabbed him carrying a big pot plant wrapped in a blanket.”

Dunbar gave kudos to the neighbour for stepping up and reporting suspicious activity.

“It's a very concerning call for us,” Dunbar said. “But when people do this, it generates support for others to call in too.”

A 26-year-old Hamilton man has been charged with trespassing at night, disguise with intent, and possession of drugs.

“I don't anticipate anyone will be pressing charges for the theft of the plant,” Dunbar said.