Two alleged prolific offenders are facing a number of criminal charges related to a string of break-ins.
Christopher Fogale, a 32-year-old Port Coquitlam resident, is charged with one count each of possession of a break-in instrument, a controlled substance and stolen property, as well as prowling at night and theft.
Fellow PoCo resident Michael Watkins, 30, is facing 16 break-and-enter charges as well as possession of break-in instruments and stolen property.
Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Jamie Chung said the two had allegedly been breaking into houses, cars and even storage lockers.
Fogale was being held in custody until his next court appearance yesterday while Watkins was released on bail with conditions he abide by a curfew; he's back in court May 30.
Other news:
EXTRA CHARGES
A Coquitlam man already facing numerous robbery charges can now add another 18 to the list.
Stephen Burleigh, 47, was one of two men arrested in late April after police allegedly caught them in the middle of a robbery attempt.
Police reported one suspect had gone into a corner store on Coast Meridian Road, near Prairie Avenue and reportedly brandished a handgun while the other waited outside in a vehicle. The suspects were arrested as they tried to get away.
Burleigh was charged with robbery, using an imitation firearm, disguising one's face with intent to commit an indictable offence and carrying, using or threatening to use a weapon.
Police have since added 18 charges to Burleigh's file related to mainly convenience store robberies - three in Coquitlam, two in New Westminster and one in Ridge Meadows, said Coquitlam RMCP Cpl. Jamie Chung.
The new charges include six counts each of robbery, using an imitation firearm and disguising one's face with intent to commit and indictable offence.
Burleigh remains in custody until his next court appearance in June.
SAFE BOATING
Coquitlam RCMP issued a number of fines and warnings to boaters over the recent long weekend, and are reminding the boating public to do a thorough pre-season check to ensure everything is in working order.
Several dozen vessels were checked over the weekend, said Const. Chris Nordlund of the Rural Section, with warnings issued for dead batteries in flashlights or misplaced paperwork.
Fines were given to boaters who had no safety equipment on board, including not having any life jackets at all.
Several charges were laid when officers located a boat with no life jackets and no safety equipment on board, and in which everyone on board had allegedly been drinking or using drugs.
"Boaters have to realize operating a boat while impaired is a criminal offence, much like impaired driving," Nordlund said.
He added that a starter safety kit can be purchased for under $50 from any local marine store.
MISSING TEEN
Coquitlam RCMP are asking for the public's help in locating missing 15-year-old Whitney Wilkes.
She was last seen on the evening of Tuesday, May 21. At the time she was wearing a teal hoodie, white T-shirt, grey yoga pants, white runners and a grey purse.
Wilkes is described as a Caucasian female who is 5'5" tall and weighing 200 pounds.
Anyone who sees Wilkes is asked to call their local police immediately. If you have information as to her whereabouts, contact Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quote file number 2013-14120, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.
