Off-duty Mountie nabs gas-siphoning thief stealing from non-profit

Nanaimo

2022-11-29 08:19 PST

File # 2022-40705

An off-duty Mountie with the Nanaimo RCMP is being credited with catching a thief who was in the process of siphoning gas from a vehicle belonging to the Boys and Girls Club. The incident occurred at approximately 6:30 AM on Saturday November 19, 2022, in the parking lot of the Boys and Girls Club, located at 1400 Cranberry Ave.

The officer later commented that he drives that same route every day and often casts a watchful eye towards the property to ensure no one is tampering with the vehicles. On this day, his vigilance paid off. As he passed by, the officer spotted an individual crouched low behind a vehicle. Next to the suspect, a hose could be seen extending from a gas tank of one of their vehicles.

The officer pulled in and drove towards the suspect. Realizing the gig was up, the suspect tried to make a break for it. The officer was expecting this and after parking his vehicle, he too set off on foot after the suspect. A short foot pursuit followed by a brief struggle eventually led to the suspect being detained for the theft.

Thieves have hit the Boys and Girls Club hard in recent years from petty thefts to siphoning of gas. Hopefully this arrest will set the tone amongst other criminals that their property is not for the taking, and is meant for the kids they support, said R/Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.

The 53-year-old man was later released on an Appearance Notice for Theft under $5000 and issued with a court date of January 31, 2023.
 

Released by

Cst. Gary O'Brien

Media Relations Officer
Nanaimo RCMP
303 Prideaux St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 2N3
Office: 250-755-4460 Ext. 4533
Cell: 250-713-0701
Fax: 250-755-3238

Email: gary.obrien@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: nanaimo.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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