BOTH of the North Shore's police departments nabbed suspects last week who were wanted in separate strings of smash-and-grabs.
West Vancouver police got a call July 8 reporting vehicles being broken into at Lighthouse Park. Officers set up a roadblock to inspect vehicles leaving the park when their suspect revealed himself, barreling around a corner in a black Ford Explorer.
The man, driving erratically to dodge police, crashed into some nearby bushes and fled on foot. A West Vancouver K9 unit tracked him and, with the help of a local resident, nabbed the suspect and took him into custody.
The suspect, a 32-year-old man of no fixed address, is now facing seven counts of theft, mischief, possession of break-in instruments, flight from police and breach of probation
Just two days later, North Vancouver RCMP picked up a 47-year-old Vancouver man after he was allegedly spotted breaking into a car parked in Stanley Park. Several police departments had the man under investigation.
The suspect, who is well known to police, has a long history of coming to the North Shore to break into vehicles, frequently targeting parked cars near tourist locations, according to investigators. Most frequently hit were vehicles with out-of-province plates and electronics left in plain sight.
"Crimes such as these have a real negative impact in our communities," said RCMP Cpl. Richard De Jong. "Police are hopeful these recent arrests will make a significant dent in this problem."
