Stolen van and $500K of equipment leads to ‘dynamic’ arrest in BC

Mounties in Coquitlam had their hands full with a multi-jurisdictional police incident on Wednesday.

Around 7:30 am, the RCMP was alerted about a break and enter at a business that happened overnight and resulted in the theft of more than $500,000 worth of hydroelectric equipment.

Not even four hours later, police were called by another business that reported a yellow 2012 Ford Eco Van had been stolen from their property.

“The complainant was able to provide GPS coordinates for the stolen vehicle to the police, indicating that it was now in Mission,” an RCMP release explained.

Strike Force, the Coquitlam RCMP’s property crime team, deployed to the area and quickly located the stolen van driving on a Forest Service Road in Mission.

They were able to locate the vehicle despite the fact that it had been completely spray painted grey.

With the Mission RCMP and Integrated Police Dog Services providing assistance, officers tried to stop the van, but it proceeded to allegedly ram an unoccupied Mission RCMP vehicle.

As it continued to flee law enforcement, the RCMP says the stolen vehicle lost one of its tires and continued to drive on the rim for a short distance.

However, the lost tire proved to be the end of the chase, as officers were able to stop the vehicle and arrested both the driver and passenger.

“This was a dynamic and fluid event with the suspect allegedly attempting to flee and harm responding police officers,” said Cpl. Alexa Hodgins. “We are very thankful that no one was seriously injured as there was an increased concern to public safety.”

While the passenger, an adult female, was released on conditions, the driver, 40-year-old Brian McDonald, remains in custody and was charged with the following offences today:

• One count of possession of stolen property contrary to Section 355 of the Criminal Code
• One count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle contrary to Section 320.13 (1) of the Criminal Code
• One count of breaking and entering contrary to Section 348 (1) (b) of the Criminal Code
• One count of flight from peace officer contrary to Section 320.17 of the Criminal Code
• One count of prohibited driving contrary to Section 102 of the Motor Vehicle Act