Police are investigating the theft of an excavator from Richmond before Christmas, as well as how it wound up in Squamish.
On Saturday (Jan. 5), Squamish RCMP received information regarding the location of an excavator that allegedly was stolen from Richmond on Dec. 21, RCMP Sgt. Wayne Pride wrote in a statement.
The machine was located at a business in the 2000 block of Centennial Way and returned to its rightful owner. “The investigation is ongoing regarding how such a unique piece of equipment made its way from Richmond to Squamish,” Pride wrote.
Mike Holloway of Surrey-based Assertive Excavating and Demolition told The Chief on Tuesday (Jan. 8) that after the excavator went missing from a job site in Richmond, he got a tip about its possible whereabouts. Holloway, who owns a small airplane and has his pilot's licence, said he decided to conduct his own search by air.
“If it weren't for the fact that I have an airplane and went looking for it, they might never have found it,” Holloway said, adding that he's happy to now turn the investigation over to police.
Wire stolen
Police are also investigating two separate incidences in which significant amounts of copper wire were stolen from businesses.
On Wednesday (Jan. 2), RCMP responded to a report of such a theft from a business in the 39000 block of Galbraith Road downtown. A fence around the business had been cut in several places, a back gate had its lock cut off and a warehouse on the property was broken into. “Numerous” tools were also stolen.
On Friday (Jan. 4), the theft of some $2,000 worth of copper wire was stolen from a B.C. Hydro generating station on Squamish Valley Road. On Jan. 1 at around 8 a.m., holes were cut in a fence surrounding the site to gain access. Police are examining surveillance video showing two suspects in the theft, Pride said.
Keys stolen
On Friday, police were told that a pickup truck had been broken into between 7:50 and 9:10 a.m. while parked at Alice Lake. The truck's door locks had been drilled out to gain access and a set of keys was stolen.
Gas station targeted
On Sunday (Jan. 6) at around 5:15 a.m., police responded to an alarm at a service station in the 1800 block of Garibaldi Way. At the scene, police found that a rock had been thrown through a glass door and the main counter area targeted. Apparently, a touch-screen monitor was the only thing stolen, Pride wrote.
Woman arrested
On Jan. 1 just after midnight, police responded to a report of a domestic dispute at a home in the 1800 block of Mamquam Road. A man called to say he and his common-law spouse were arguing about custody of their young son when things got physical. At the scene, police arrested a 24-year-old woman for allegedly assaulting her common-law partner.
Home entered
On Wednesday (Jan. 2), police received a report of a break-and-enter at a home in the 600 block of Lower Crescent in Britannia Beach. The incident occurred sometime between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Someone entered through a back door that was left unlocked and attempted unsuccessfully to steal a custom Mexican-made sink. Police are investigating.
