Two people have been arrested after a rash of break-and-enters in the West Shore area over the past two months.
In a media release, West Shore RCMP said there were at least seven break and enters reported to them between August 30th and October 14th.
The incidents occurred within walking distance from one another. The suspects were targeting vehicles and storage lockers in both secure and open-air parkades.
“Multiple victims contacted police to report numerous items being stolen, damage to personal vehicles and damage to the apartment buildings themselves,” said Cst. Alex Berube of the West Shore RCMP.
Police were able to secure good quality surveillance videos from a number of the residences which captured predominately one suspect, who police were able to identify.
“The Vancouver Island RCMP’s Forensic Identification Section assisted with the investigation in collecting and analyzing evidence which led to the identity of the suspects,” said Berube.
Once the suspects were identified, on October 6th, the crime unit with the West Shore began investigating the identified suspect for a number of these offences.
While officers were conducting surveillance at a residence on Fairway Avenue in Langford, officers witnessed an incident in which occupants of a vehicle pepper sprayed one of the guests of the home while driving past the address.
Officers conducted a traffic stop after the incident, both suspects, a 23-year-old man of View Royal and a 32-year-old man of Langford, were arrested.
On October 15th, a search warrant was executed at one of the suspect’s residence where officers recovered stolen property from several of the break and enters,
In addition, officers located ammunition, crossbows and a small amount of methamphetamine.
“This is an example of how one of several suspects are responsible for many crimes, resulting in an increase in property crime for one or more specific areas,” Berube said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264.
