Agassiz:  A man faces charges following his arrest by RCMP as police investigate a series of thefts in the Agassiz region.

 

The investigation stemmed from a spike in the number of calls received by the RCMP at the end of November 2018 through January 2019 from homeowners reporting break and enters, theft of automobiles, as well as theft from automobiles in Agassiz.  Agassiz General Investigation Support Team (GIST) officers immediately began pursuing all investigative avenues to solve the thefts while general duty officers conducted proactive patrols of the area.

 

“From the beginning we felt the impact these thefts were having on the community – officers worked ceaselessly collecting and examining evidence seized during the investigations,” says Sergeant Darren Rennie of the Agassiz RCMP.

 

Evidence gathered by GIST and general duty officers supported by the Lower Mainland Integrated Forensic Identification Section (IFIS) during the investigation linked a suspect targeting unlocked homes and automobiles to a number of the thefts.

 

On February 7, 2019 a 19 year old man from Chilliwack was arrested by Agassiz RCMP.  The man is charged with 3 counts of break and enter, attempt to break and enter, theft of a motor vehicle, 2 counts of attempt to commit theft of motor vehicle, possession of a prohibited firearm, 2 counts of fail to comply with conditions of a court order.  The individual remains in custody pending a court date later in February.

 

“Agassiz RCMP continue our investigation into the thefts,” adds Rennie. “Following a thorough investigation police will be submitting all circumstances of the investigation in a report to the BC Prosecution Service for their assessment of additional criminal charges.”

 

RCMP remind everyone who witnesses anything they believe to be suspicious in nature to contact the Agassiz RCMP at 604-796-2211 or, should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).