Two Abbotsford men have been arrested in Hope following an investigation into the theft of property and weapons.
The investigation began Dec. 29, when the RCMP crime reduction unit (CRU) in Chilliwack received information from the Abbotsford Police Department CRU of a black Dodge pickup truck associated to a break-in over Christmas.
Abbotsford Police believed the suspect vehicle was travelling in the Upper Fraser Valley region.
In the early afternoon of the 29th, the suspect truck was in Hope under the surveillance of Chilliwack CRU, who waited for the opportunity to safely stop the vehicle and apprehend the occupants.
The opportunity presented itself when the pickup was parked in front of a local business. The driver and passenger were arrested without incident, and a handgun, ammunition, and compound bow were seized by police during a search of the truck.
Both men were transported by police back to Abbotsford. Their names have not yet been released.
Investigators determined there was a link between the break-in and a residence in the 19800 block of Peters Road on Sumas Prairie in Chilliwack.
That residence was quickly cordoned off by the the Abbotsford Police emergency response team (ERT), with support from the Lower Mainland District ERT.
A search warrant was executed later that evening by the Abbotsford CRU.
Cpl. Brock Rayworth of Chilliwack CRU said the Peters Road residence has been the target of a joint investigation looking into property crime across the Fraser Valley and involving police in Hope, Chilliwack and Abbotsford.
Investigators are continuing to look into links between the Peters Road address and other thefts across the region, Rayworth said.
“Criminals move between jurisdictions and travel through the Fraser Valley committing crime,” said Cpl. Mike Rail. “RCMP of the Upper Fraser Regional Detachment partner with Abbotsford Police Department to identify and apprehend these criminals, which in turn makes both communities safer for their respective residents.”
Police encourage the public to report any suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.