One man is in custody and facing a charge of theft after police linked him to an auto break-in from last year.
Police say the suspect broke into a vehicle parked in the 3000-block of Royal Avenue on Dec. 17 and made off with a purse containing credit cards, a passport, jewelry and a large amount of money.
It was forensic evidence left at the scene that led investigators to Jerry Notenbomer, who was already well known to police, on Feb. 10, according to Cpl. Richard De Jong, North Vancouver RCMP spokesman.
"It's not like CSI where we get the results the same day. Forensics got evidence and it was just a matter of time before his name came back associated to the evidence," De Jong said.
The arrest follows a rash of 20 car break-ins in Lynn Valley in the first two weeks of February, though Notenbomer is only facing one charge of theft over $5,000.
"We're trying to connect him to other offences. This one had forensic evidence that was a slam-dunk, hence the warrant, hence the arrest," De Jong said.
The judge took the rare step of keeping Notenbomer in custody until his next court appearance in April.
"It's not often you get held in custody for theft from auto unless a judge sees a specific pattern and evidence that, if you're released, it's going to mean repeat offences," De Jong said.
