The anti-theft bait-bike program being run by police in the Sea to Sky Corridor appears have netted its first suspects.
On Friday (Aug. 16) at around 5:30 p.m., police responded to a report of a bait bike having been stolen in Whistler, Squamish RCMP Sgt. Wayne Price said in a statement. The suspects were reported to be heading southbound on Highway 99 and both Squamish RCMP and West Vancouver Police responded.
West Vancouver Police stopped a U-Haul van on Highway 99 at Lawrence Bay Way and arrested a Vancouver man, 45, and a Surrey man, 47. The two, who were also found in possession of methamphetamine and heroin, are facing charges of theft, possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance, Pride said.
The van contained seven "high-end" mountain bikes with a total value exceeding $10,000, laptops, cell phones, a camera and personal cards also believed to have been stolen, Pride said.
Bike stolen
Last Tuesday (Aug. 13), police received a report of a mountain bike having been stolen after having been locked at the previous weekend's Squamish Valley Music Festival. The bike is a white, 1998 Rocky Mountain with silver shocks and orange "Blizzard" lettering.
Suspect arrested
On Tuesday (Aug. 13) at around 9 p.m., police received information about a man trying to sell a firearm that he was carrying in a knapsack in the 38000 block of Gambier Avenue. Using a description provided by witnesses, police located and arrested a Squamish man, 26, described as "known to police." The rifle was discovered in the backyard of a nearby home. The investigation is ongoing.
Items stolen
On Wednesday (Aug. 14), police received a report of a vehicle having been broken into while parked at the Stawamus Chief parking lot between noon and 9:30 p.m. A passenger-side window was smashed and stolen were a backpack with miscellaneous clothing, climbing gear, a U.S. passport and a wallet with U.S., and $70 in cash.
Tools discovered
A 25-year-old Squamish man who had been under court order not to be in possession of break-in tools may be facing charges after he was arrested in possession of two crowbars, a ratchet set and a spark plug. Police who were on patrol in Valleycliffe stopped the man on Sunday (Aug. 18) after he was seen walking out of the front yard of a home he is not associated with. The man was under condition not to be in possession of such tools after having been charged in a recent home break-and-enter, and the officer discovered the tools during the stop, Pride said. The man is also under investigation for potentially breaking into vehicles in the Valleycliffe area.
Multiple charges eyed
On Monday (Aug. 19) at around 12:45 a.m., an officer noticed a vehicle speeding northbound on Highway 99 and turning westbound onto Depot Road. The officer followed and tried to pull the vehicle over, but it did not stop immediately. It eventually did stop at Arrowhead and Woodland Place and when approached, the driver provided the officer with a false name. The officer noticed evidence of possible impairment by alcohol, but when asked to provide a breath sample, the 28-year-old man fled.
A police dog was called in and officers found the man hiding inside a residence under construction near Dryden Rd. The man faces charges of driving while disqualified and obstruction and was issued a driving prohibition, a speeding ticket, and the vehicle was seized and impounded. Charges of trespass by night and break and enter are also being considered, Pride said.
Lock removed
On Thursday (Aug. 15) at around 4:30 a.m., police responded to a report of two males trying to break into a business in the 1900 block of Maple Drive. At the scene, police found that a lock on the front door had been removed but it appeared that an alarm scared the suspects away. Extensive patrols of the area failed to locate the suspects, Pride said.
