The suspect in a number of thefts in Coquitlam and Maple Ridge was arrested last week after a lengthy pursuit by several police agencies.
The incident began with a BMW X3 stolen from the garage of a Coquitlam home on the night of April 19 while the owners were asleep. No other items were taken in the break and enter.
Members of the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT) spotted the BMW on April 23 in Coquitlam and followed it through New Westminster, Surrey and Burnaby, with assistance from the air and RCMP members from Coquitlam, Burnaby, Ridge Meadows and Surrey.
Officers from the Port Mann Freeway Patrol attempted to stop the vehicle in New Westminster but the driver fled at high speed, prompting numerous calls from Burnaby residents. The BMW eventually crashed in Burnaby and the driver allegedly fled the scene before he pulled to the side of the road and fled on foot, according to police.
The man was found nearby hiding in a residential stairwell, where he was arrested by police and the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service.
Several stolen items were found in the BMW, including mail, jewelry and power tools, believed to be linked to thefts in Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.
Police are continuing their investigation and will be contacting the owners of the stolen property in the coming weeks to arrange for its identification and return.
Brandon Cumming-Hobson, 23, of no fixed address is facing several charges including possession of stolen property, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and two counts each of breach of probation and breach of recognizance.
Additional charges are anticipated.
He appeared in B.C. Provincial Court in Surrey on Friday and remains in custody.
"Prolific auto crime offenders are transient and operate in all jurisdictions in the Lower Mainland," said Insp. Peter Jadis of IMPACT in a release. "Police agencies in the Lower Mainland have been working together to identify and target key individuals and bring them before the courts."
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