by Sarah Massah, Black Press
The man who was found dead in Abbotsford last month at a restaurant on Peardonville Road was a suspect in a series of South Surrey commercial break-ins, according to Surrey RCMP this week.
The body of the 33-year-old man was found Aug. 16 at Tony's Place Restaurant by an employee who showed up for work.
The man became stuck under the interior accordion-style security gate during an apparent break-in. His exact cause of death has not yet been released.
Two weeks before the man was found, at least six South Surrey businesses were targeted within minutes of each other on Aug. 2.
The businesses included Sheila's Bistro Lounge, Original Joe's, Kami Sushi, Crocodile Baby, Kababji Grill and Five Guys Burger.
According to Surrey RCMP, most of the businesses were accessed by punching in the main locks in a search for cash.
Sheila's Bistro Lounge owner Batty Cox had obtained surveillance footage of the intruder using a rock to smash the glass to gain entry into the store before leaving with $200.
RCMP confirmed this week that the man found dead in Abbotsford was the main suspect in those break-ins. They did not release his name.
– with files from the Abbotsford News