Tips help catch home invaders

Man arrested has criminal record, cops know about him

Public tips helped Ridge Meadows RCMP arrest two men and a woman after a home invasion and robbery in daylight hours Tuesday.

Police were called to a townhouse complex on Ford Road at about 7:30 p.m., after reports that two men, one of them armed with a firearm, had forced entry to a townhome and had stolen property from that residence.

The pair was observed getting into a dark-coloured SUV, and being driven away by a female accomplice. The trio was then seen moments later getting into a white car, and abandoning the SUV.

Police recognized the description of the car, and arrested the suspects.

“Fortunately no one was injured in this brazen incident,” said Sgt. Dale Somerville. “Investigators are in the early stages of the investigation. What I can tell you is one of the males arrested is a well-known offender who has a lengthy criminal history and is a public safety concern.”

All suspects have been held in custody pending court appearances scheduled for Thursday, and they are facing charges of robbery, break and enter, possessing break-in instruments and others.

This arrest was through the cumulative efforts of citizens and police, added Somerville. General duty and street enforcement police officers were locate the white car, and three suspects were taken into custody.

“This afforded police a good opportunity to gather further evidence, including the recovery of the abandoned SUV, which turned out to be a stolen vehicle, that ties the suspects to this crime.”

Maple Ridge News