VicPD arrested a prolific car thief after they found him in a vehicle he stole the previous day.
Officers spotted a stolen Volkswagen Westfalia van parked in the 900-block of Mason Street just after 7 a.m. on Friday, July 16th.
Recognizing the van, officers investigated and discovered a broken window and that the van was sporting stolen plates; they then conducted a security search of the van and discovered a man inside.
Police ordered the man out of the vehicle and took him into custody.
Despite sporting stolen BC plates and the few alterations the suspect made, VicPD confirmed the van was stolen.
The van, from Alberta, was the subject of VicPD social media posts.
Have you seen this cream-coloured Volkswagen van? It was reported stolen from the area of Pembroke & Store St overnight.
Alberta license plate: CJJ 5107
Please call 250-995-7654 ext 1 or @VicCrimeStop with info. #yyj pic.twitter.com/RwThVplOtl
— Victoria Police (@vicpdcanada) July 15, 2021
VicPD reported that upon identifying the man, they learned he was violating court-ordered conditions not to be inside a vehicle without the vehicle’s registered owner – a condition that stems from a series of previous vehicle theft convictions.
The man has since been transported to cells and awaits court, while the vehicle has been transported for forensic processing, after which it will be returned to the registered owner.
The suspect faces recommended charges for possession of stolen property and for violating court-ordered conditions.
VicPD are asking anyone willing to share information about the case to call (250) 995-7654.
