An Abbotsford thief who was caught breaking into cars last week was easily tied to a prior crime – thanks to video footage left behind at one of the scenes.
Abbotsford Police Const. Ian MacDonald said the first crime took place last week, when a thief stole two interior security cameras, within a 24-hour period, from an apartment complex.
The second theft occurred in the early morning of Thursday, May 16, and the building manager notified police.
Although the cameras were taken, the hard-drive – with footage captured by the equipment – was left behind.
MacDonald said a review of the video clearly showed the thief's face, as well as a unique tattoo on one of his arms.
At about 10 a.m. on the 16th, bike squad officers responded to reports that a man appeared to be breaking into cars in the main mall area of Abbotsford.
Officers arrested a 33-year-old man at the scene with break-in instruments and stolen property.
MacDonald said it didn't take long to discover that the arrested man looked the same as the one in the video footage. His ID was confirmed by the tattoo that he sported on his arm, which included a family member's name.
The culprit now faces additional theft charges in relation to the stolen security cameras.