Two Manitoba men arrested in Surrey were each provided a free trip home earlier this month courtesy of B.C. taxpayers.
Unfortunately for them, the only visits they will now be allowed will be behind bars.
Jorg Rautenburg and Jason James Sinclair mark the two latest fugitives to be flown out of the province as part of the BC Fugitive Return Program, or “Con Air,” as it’s commonly known.
Both men were arrested in March by Surrey RCMP on outstanding warrants.
Rautenburg is facing charges for breach of recognizance, impaired operation of a motor vehicle, failure to comply with a probation order, failure to comply with a recognizance and Manitoba Highway Traffic Act and Liquor Control Act offences.
Sinclair is facing charges of assault causing bodily harm, failure to comply with a promise to appear and theft under $5,000.
The fugitive return program, managed by the RCMP and Vancouver Police Department and funded by the Civil Forfeiture Office and B.C. Sheriff Services, has been operational since September 2011 and now boasts having flown 62 individuals back to the provinces where their warrants were issued, to stand trial.
The goal of the program is to “help send a message to criminals that they cannot simply hide out here in British Columbia,” according to an RCMP press release.
