Suspects in custody

Rash of vehicle thefts in the South Cariboo

Dec 29, 2019 | 9:58 AM

100 MILE HOUSE — Two suspects have been arrested in relation to a rash of vehicle thefts in the South Cariboo.

100 Mile House RCMP Cst. Ryder Birtwistle says the thefts occurred starting early Christmas Eve through to the evening of December 27.

To start things off, he says a 1990s F250 was stolen from Exeter Station Road in 100 Mile House on December 24.

“Later in the day (Dec.24) an erratic driver complaint was received on Back Valley Road, involving a late ’90s F150 with a white canopy falling off,” says Birtwistle.

“On December 26, a second truck was reported stolen from a residence, also on Back Valley Road. At this address the stolen F250 from December 24 was left and a F150 with a canopy was stolen. Police believe it was the same truck reported to be driven in a dangerous manner on December 24.”

He says in the early morning hours of December 27 a Hyundai Santa Fe was then stolen from a home on Buffalo Creek Road.

“The thief abandoned the F150 previously reported stolen on December 26. Between 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. the same day a 2007 F150 was stolen from a remote property on Bradley Creek Road. The Sante Fe stolen earlier in the morning was left at this property,” notes Birtwistle.

Finally, late in the evening of December 27, he says thieves attempted to “re-victimize” the Bradley Creek property by breaking two truck windows in an attempt to steal them.

“This alerted the owners who went to investigate and report the incident to police. The suspects fled the scene and the owners followed.”

Birtwistle says the two suspects, a 69-year-old man and a 26-year -old man, were arrested on Wilcox Road near the Wilcox-Dempsey Forest Service Road.

In the suspect’s car, he says police found stolen property believed to be associated with the vehicle thefts, suspected methamphetamine, bear spray and tools commonly used for break and enters.

“Police attended the older male’s residence in the Buffalo Creek area and recovered the 2007 F150 stolen from the Buffalo Creek Road property.”

Birtwistle says police have examined the stolen vehicles for forensic evidence and notes the investigation is ongoing.

He says all the vehicles involved have been recovered with “varying degrees of damage.”

Both suspects, who have not been named, have been released with a court date and several conditions including a curfew.

Birtwistle says one common factor in these incidents is that keys were left inside unlocked vehicles.

If you have any information about these incidents you are asked to call the 100 Mile House RCMP at (250)395-2456.