Coquitlam RCMP are crediting the quick response of the Mounties' Air One helicopter and police dog units for the safe diffusion of a potentially explosive situation near a Port Coquitlam daycare centre.
While kids and staff were still streaming into the West Wood Players Early Learning and Childcare Centre, at 3610 Hastings St., just before 10 a.m. last Wednesday, Jan. 26, members of the RCMP's Prolific Target Team spotted a man driving a stolen Ford F350 truck in the immediate vicinity of the daycare.
According to RCMP spokeswoman Const. Kristina Biro, the truck was fitted with "a large external fuel tank in the bed of the truck" which caused great concern among attending officers of a potentially catastrophic explosion and fire "if it were to take off and get in some sort of collision."
Biro said that to ensure the safety of the daycare's students and staff, Mounties called in support from the Lower Mainland District Traffic Services helicopter, known as Air One, and police dog units to take down the suspect as "quickly and decisively" as possible.
The man surrendered to police without incident.
Alen Krasnici, 33, of Vancouver had five outstanding warrants when he was arrested last Wednesday by the Prolific Target Team, an RCMP division dedicated to tackling offenders suspected of causing a disproportionately high volume of crime.
Mounties are recommending five new charges against Krasnici, including obstructing a peace officer, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of break-in instruments and driving while prohibited. He will remain in police custody until he answers the charges in court on Feb. 7.
A few days later, Air One nabbed another scofflaw driving a stolen vehicle, this time in Maple Ridge.
The car, a grey Pontiac Grand-Am, had been reported stolen to Coquitlam RCMP also on Jan. 26.
On Sunday, police were alerted to the man after an officer with the Integrated Road Safety Unit attempted to stop him.
Ridge Meadows RCMP Cpl. Alanna Dunlop said the driver of the Pontiac accelerated and attempted to flee.
"To the suspect's dismay, the RCMP traffic services helicopter was in the area," Dunlop added.
Air One kept watch from above as the man drove to Klassen Place and 125th Avenue in Maple Ridge, where he jumped out of the car and tried to hide on a property nearby.
"With the helicopter still watching his every move, uniformed police officers moved in and the arrest was made," Dunlop said.
Police also discovered the man was on bail, with conditions that prohibited him from being in a vehicle without the owner present.
The man was remanded in police custody and was expected to make a court appearance on Monday.
- With files from the
Maple Ridge News
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