A Coquitlam RCMP investigation into a home invasion that occurred a year and a half ago has stalled and now police are turning to the public in hopes of generating new tips.
The incident occurred Feb. 9, 2018, just before 8:30 p.m., when three men broke through the front door of a home in the 600-block of Poirier Street in Coquitlam. A family of three was home at the time and two of the victims sustained injuries in the incident.
"The investigation was initially making good progress but it has since stalled," said Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said Tuesday. "Information from the public could be very useful in getting the investigation back on track."
Police would not confirm the nature of the injuries sustained by the family, saying further information could identify the victims. McLaughlin also declined to answer whether the suspects stole anything.
"In order to protect the integrity of the investigation, we will not be releasing further details of the home invasion," he said in an email to The Tri-City News.
Asked why Coquitlam RCMP did not publicize the home invasion when it happened, McLaughlin wrote: "Our first step in most investigations is to follow the evidence. If we did a news release for every serious offence, we would be constantly putting out news releases that would not be necessary for solving the crime."
But police did provide descriptions of the three suspects and two composite drawings. McLaughlin said there was not enough information to have drawings for all three of the alleged intruders.
The first suspect is described as a south Asian man between 20 and 30 years old with a short, well-defined beard, short, dark brown hair and dark eyes; he was medium height and build, and was wearing a track suit with red and white features and a high-visibility vest at the time of the incident.
The second suspect is described as a Caucasian man who may be European, between the ages of 40 and 50 years old. He had light blue or green eyes, with brown hair and a muscular, stocky build. He was wearing a toque and a high-visibility vest at the time of the home invasion.
Police do not have a composite drawing for the last suspect but said he was a tall man of an uncertain age with a slim build; he was dressed in all black.
Anyone with information that could identify the suspects is asked to call the Coquitlam RCMP non-emergency number at 604-945-1550 and quote file number 2018-4300. Those who wish to remain anonymous can do so by reporting information to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by going to www.solvecrime.ca.
