A sharp-eyed Port Moody resident with a video surveillance system was able to catch a thief in the act and now PoMo police are recommending charges against a man who was stealing from cars.
The take-down took place in the early morning hours of May 10, when several members of the PMPD were investigating reports from theft of autos in the Heritage Mountain area which had been experiencing a spike in theft from autos.
Police were working in the area at about 4:30 a.m., when a resident of Greenleaf Drive called to report that within the past 20 minutes someone had attempted to obtain access to his truck by pulling the door handles.
“The resident advised that he was able to capture the suspect on surveillance video,” reported Const. Jason Maschke in a press release.
Consequently, police were able to get a detailed description of the suspect and forward it to other members patrolling the area. A short time later, police received a second call from another nearby resident who reported seeing a suspicious male peering inside parked vehicles near Cranberry Court and Sycamore Drive.
Police noted that the suspect descriptors of both incidents were consistent.
“As a result, police quickly intercepted a male who matched these descriptions. While investigating him, attending officers observed several vehicles within the vicinity had recently been rummaged through. The suspect was subsequently placed under arrest. A search of him revealed a quantity of stolen property associated to the prior reported theft from autos,” Maschke further stated.
It turned out the suspect was also in breach of his probation. He was subsequently transported to police cells where he would be held in custody for court.
PMPD have now recommended charges to Crown Counsel for multiple counts of possession of property obtained by crime, in addition to a charge for breach of probation.
Anyone with information regarding this matter is asked to contact the PMPD or Crime Stoppers at bccrimestoppers.com and residents are reminded to ensure their vehicles are locked securely and all valuables are removed at night.
“Thieves work in the daytime and at night, if you see any suspicious activity in your neighborhood, please call us,” Const. Maschke noted.
