Several Lexus vehicles stolen in New West were part of a “highly organized” luxury car theft operation.
The New Westminster Police Department is reporting that it helped other specialty teams in disrupting the car theft operation. On May 31, the NWPD’s street crime unit assisted the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT) and Air 1 in an IMPACT-led investigation.
“This was a challenging investigation, and IMPACT investigators, with the assistance of the NWPD, were able to bring it to a very successful conclusion,” IMPACT Sgt. Bob Harris said in a news release. “IMPACT is committed to working proactively with our municipal and RCMP partners to combat auto crime.”
According to a NWPD press release, three suspects were taken into custody after police observed seven stolen Lexus being loaded into two shipping containers inside a Surrey salvage yard. One of the shipping containers had been loaded onto a commercial vehicle and was leaving the area.
Four of the stolen Lexus vehicles had been stolen from New Westminster, said the press release.
“This was a team effort to put a stop to a highly coordinated and sophisticated car theft operation,” NWPD spokesperson Sgt. Justine Thom said in a news release. “Criminals should know that we’re coordinated, we’re sharing information, and we’re watching the moves they make.”
The NWPD’s forensic identification unit processed the vehicles and successfully pulled fingerprints belonging to the suspects.
Mohammed Bouterra, 19; Al Rifai, 22; and Yahya Zitouni, 21, have pleaded guilty to theft of motor vehicles, possession of stolen property for the purpose of trafficking; and use of computer system with intent to commit an office.
Anyone with information on car thefts in New Westminster is asked to call the NWPD at 604-525-5411.
