Thirty-eight-year-old Justin Murphy of St. John’s was arrested by Harbour Grace RCMP on June 7, 2024, as he returned to the scene of a break, enter and theft at the Taylor Building in Harbour Grace.  The initial break and enter occurred sometime between the evening of June 6 and the morning of June 7.

On Friday morning, Harbour Grace RCMP was informed of a break, enter and theft at the Children, Seniors and Social Development (CSSD) office in the Taylor Building on Cathedral Street in Harbour Grace. 

Suspect(s) forced entry into the business causing damages to a number of windows, as well as damages to property inside the building. A number of items, which included sensitive client information, were stolen.

In continuing the investigation, and acting on information received, during the later evening hours on Friday, police set up surveillance of the property.  Murphy attended the business and forced entry inside.  Wearing a face-covering and holding onto a pry bar, he was met by officers who were waiting inside the business and was arrested without incident.

The stolen property from the initial break and enter at the CSSD building was recovered at a residence in Harbour Grace with all items accounted for.  In addition, inside the home, police located evidence tying Murphy to another break, enter and theft that was reported on June 7.  A commercial utility trailer that was parked on Water Street in Harbour Grace was broken into and a number of items were stolen.

Murphy is charged with 15 criminal offences, including charges of break and enter, possession of stolen property over $5000.00, disguise with intent, possession of break-in instruments/tools, mischief (damage to property) under $5000.00, identity theft, illegal possession of government documentation, theft of a credit card and a number of breaches of court ordered conditions.