Two men got into a fight after one of them was caught napping in the other’s vehicle.
On Nov. 26, at approximately 9:30 a.m., members of the New Westminster Police Department responded to a call from a member of the public who had heard calls for help and observed the owner of a maintenance truck in a scuffle with another man.
The scuffle ended as one man fled down the street with the other man in pursuit, police said.
The man giving chase called police to explain he had witnessed the suspect sleeping inside his truck, said a news release. Officers responded rushed and took the suspect into custody. Upon searching the area, additional maintenance trucks were found with broken windows.
The following charges have been recommended to Crown Counsel:
Two Counts of Theft Under $5000, Contrary to Section 334 (b).
“We recognize emotions can run high when you realize you’re the victim of crime,” stated Sgt. Sanjay Kumar, “However, we always encourage people to call 9-1-1 if they witness a crime in progress, and to not attempt to apprehend a suspect yourself. Your property is replaceable, your life is not.”
Throughout the city, theft from vehicles has been on the increase, police said. If residents see their vehicle has been broken into, they can report this through online reporting. If residents observe a theft from auto in progress they’re asked to call 911.
