A prolific thief known for operating on the North Shore is back in prison after being caught red-handed.
A West Vancouver officer dropped in on the suspect, who was under a court-ordered curfew at his East Vancouver home, Wednesday night to make sure he was abiding by the terms of his probation.
What the suspect did not know was that West Vancouver's surveillance unit was waiting nearby.
Not 30 minutes after the constable left his home, the man drove to the Upper Lynn Valley area to kick off a night of raiding parked vehicles and property.
Investigators followed the suspect until 2 a.m. when they moved in to arrest him on the 1300-block of Evelyn Street after he'd racked up about $2,000-worth of suspected stolen goods including a laptop computer, electronics, tools and cash.
Dean Macarthur Durnie, 39, pleaded guilty in North Vancouver provincial court on Thursday to theft under $5,000 and trespassing at night.
The judge handed Durnie a six-month jail sentence, two years of probation and a ban on coming to the North Shore once he is released.
West Vancouver police noted most of the vehicles Durnie targeted were unlocked and, in several cases, were left with cash and valuables inside.
Police encourage all residents to ensure their property and vehicles are properly secured to reduce the risk of being victimized.
