Anyone who parked their vehicle along Columbia St. Sunday night only to discover they were broken into may want to get a hold of the RCMP.

Police retrieved several items they believe were stolen from vehicles after arresting a prolific offender Monday morning who was seen prowling Columbia St. and Notre Dame Drive.

At around 3 a.m. Monday, police received a call from witnesses who spotted a suspicious man entering parked vehicles at the Accent Inn in the 1300 block of Columbia St.

A witness yelled at the suspect, which sent him running and jumping into a cab.

A motel security guard followed the cab to the Ramada Inn on Columbia St. where the suspect was seen walking into the covered parking lot. He left on foot just before police arrived.

RCMP on patrol then spotted a man well known to police for property crimes and drug offences walking on Pemberton Terrace wearing clothing that matched the witnesses' description.

The backpack he was carrying was loaded down, leading police to arrest and search him.

Police found vehicle accessories, a GPS unit, multiple car cellphone chargers, a guitar amp, glasses, CDs, miscellaneous Canadian currency, a screwdriver and sunglasses.

Investigators checked other vehicles in the parking lots where the suspect had been seen and at least one vehicle owner was connected with items found in the backpack.

"Police are anticipating more victims will surface as people attend their vehicles this morning," said Staff Sgt. Grant Learned on Monday.

Learned said police recommended that the suspect be held in custody while facing charges of theft and possession of stolen property "due to his lengthy history of failing to attend court when required and for failures to comply with court and probation orders."