What began initially with a report of a theft from a parked vehicle ended with the arrest of a 21-year-old Nanaimo man on nine criminal offenses, including two residential break and enters and a number of stolen property charges.
According to a Nanaimo RCMP press release, the incident started at about 10 a.m. Monday when a caller reported to police a theft from a vehicle in the Nanaimo Ice Centre parking lot and gave a description of the male and the vehicle he left in.
Minutes later, the vehicle was spotted being driven erratically nearby on Derby Place and then abandoned on Sarum Rise with its door left open and engine running.
As officers attempted to locate the suspect over the next hour, at least two 911 calls were received about a man matching the description of the suspect from the original complaint breaking into homes on Second Street and Wakesiah Avenue.
Police found the man leaving a home in the 600 block of Second Street and took him into custody without incident.
“This individual is believed to be responsible for a number of other property related offences involving vehicles and homes, throughout Nanaimo,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. “Officers will be recommending his continued detention, which will afford them time to compile additional charges against him.”
