A Port Coquitlam man is facing numerous charges related to break-ins the Tri-Cities, according to Coquitlam RCMP.
Mounties have laid six charges of break and enter just a week after West Vancouver police laid a similar charge related to a break-in at a home that took place when the residents were away.
The investigation began Nov. 6 when a break-in was reported at a home in the 500-block of Southborough Drive in West Van. The home had been ransacked and a number of personal items, including cash and jewelry, were stolen.
An image captured on home surveillance cameras later helped investigators identify their suspect, a resident of PoCo whom McLaughlin said is known to police.
Nov. 20, members of the West Vancouver Police Target Team and Coquitlam RCMP's Prolific Target Team executed a search warrant at a PoCo home, where a suspect was arrested and officers allegedly found stolen property, including items which had been stolen from the Southborough Drive B&E.
“This was excellent collaboration between our agencies,” WVPD Const. Kevin Goodmurphy said at the time. “We were very happy to recover personal property which has since been returned to its owners.”
Following the charge in West Vancouver, Coquitlam RCMP conducted its investigation, laying six more charges related to local break-ins. More charges may be forthcoming, according to Cpl. McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Coquitlam RCMP.
Meanwhile, police are continuing to sort through items found at the PoCo house with the goal of returning it to owners once they are no longer needed for evidence.
McLaughlin said the cache is large, one of the largest collections of valuables found in “recent memory” and it will take a while to sort through it all. He didn't give a value of the property that was seized.
“This is one of those real-world examples that show the importance of keeping track of all your valuables,” McLaughlin noted, suggesting that people record serial numbers and photograph jewelry and other items.
Michael Horyn, 52, of Port Coquitlam, now faces seven charges of break and enter.
