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Coast men arrested following crime spree

Gibsons

One man remains in custody, while a second has been released on a recognizance following a property crime spree that occurred overnight on July 23 in Gibsons.

A 25-year-old man and resident of Sechelt was released by a judicial justice of the peace on a recognizance and has been charged with three counts of break and enter, two counts of possession of stolen property and one count of false pretence.

James Stoutenburg, 36, of Halfmoon Bay has also been charged with three counts of break and enter, two counts of possession of stolen property and one count of false pretence. He has been remanded in custody.

At approximately 5:20 a.m. last Wednesday, Sun-shine Coast RCMP responded to a report of a break and enter in progress at the 900 block of Gibsons Way.

“A witness observed the suspects smash a glass door and enter the business, but soon departed after the alarm sounded,” said Sgt. Steve Chubey in a news release. “A description of the suspects was obtained.”

At approximately 5:50 a.m., RCMP were advised of a break and enter and theft of a truck from a residence in the 3500 block of Marine Drive.

Chubey said thieves allegedly entered the residence and stole the keys to the vehicle.

“Two men street checked by police the previous night were seen in proximity of the vehicle; however, the owner could not be located,” he said.

At approximately 6 a.m., RCMP received a complaint of two thefts from vehicles near Sumac Place. One of the vehicles was left unsecured by the owner and nothing was taken, while thieves broke the window of another, stealing items from the vehicle.

While in the area, RCMP responded to a report of another break and enter to a hair salon on North Road.

“Police responded to find a door had been pried open and the store ransacked. Several items had been stolen from the business,” said Chubey. “Police seized evidence from the scene, as the suspects were no longer on scene. Police were notified of several items that had allegedly been stolen from the business on the trail near Kiwanis Way. These items were also seized.”

At approximately 8 a.m., RCMP received a report of an attempted theft from vehicle from the 900 block of Gibsons Way. Thieves broke into the vehicle and attempted to steal the vehicle and rummaged through the vehicle.

Police later discovered that a bank card that was in the truck reported stolen earlier in the morning had been used at a local gas station. Police confirmed that the men they had checked the night previous were also responsible for the fraudulent use of the card.

At approximately 10 a.m., police located the suspects in the 5800 block of Teredo Street in Sechelt. Both males were arrested with a quantity of stolen property in their possession.

“The results of this investigation are the result of the collaborative effort put forth by our officers and members of the public,” Chubey said. “Our officers worked diligently to link these crimes using information gathered from the scenes and from witnesses, and through good police work.”