Chilliwack:  Two people are charged following an RCMP investigation into the theft of a bait car.

 

On March 24, 2019 around 3:30 a.m. Chilliwack RCMP were alerted to an alarm triggered from a bait vehicle parked near Reece Avenue and Robson Street.  Frontline general duty officers supported by the Lower Mainland District Integrated Police Dog Service (IPDS) responded to the area where officers quickly located the vehicle abandoned on Hodgins Avenue near Edward Street.  Despite extensive patrols by police the suspects were not found.

 

Evidence linking two individuals to the stolen bait vehicle collected by Chilliwack Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) investigators led to the arrests of the suspects by the Priority Offender Suppression Team (POST) on the evening of March 26th.

 

Mathew Christopher Nicholls, 37, of Chilliwack, is charged with theft of a motor vehicle and mischief.  Mr. Nicholls remains in custody pending a court date in April.

 

Samantha June Nelles, 25, of Chilliwack, is charged with possession of stolen property over $5000 and mischief.  Ms. Nelles remains in custody pending a court date in April.

 

“The Bait car program is coordinated by the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT) and is an effective tool in combating auto theft in our region,” says Corporal Mike Rail spokesperson for the UFVRD. “Bait cars containing bait property are parked in areas identified as high risk for auto crime.”

 

For tips on preventing auto crime visit us on line at bcrcmp or partners at IMPACT.

 

RCMP remind everyone who witnesses anything they believe to be suspicious in nature to contact the Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or, should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Filed under: Bait Car, Chilliwack