Skip to content

Suspected roof rack thief caught at airport long-term parking lot

Crime analysts are being credited for the capture of an alleged roof rack thief, who was arrested during a raid in an airport long-term parking lot on Sea Island. At around 7 a.m. last Friday, Oct.
roof rack
A suspected roof rack thief was caught inside this long-term parking lot on Grauer Road on Sea Island. Google Maps

Crime analysts are being credited for the capture of an alleged roof rack thief, who was arrested during a raid in an airport long-term parking lot on Sea Island.

At around 7 a.m. last Friday, Oct. 5, Richmond RCMP’s YVR detachment responded to a theft in progress at what appears to be YVR's long term staff parking lot in the 7000 block of Grauer Road, north of Templeton Canada Line station.

According to police, the suspect was attempting to steal a roof rack or bike rack from one of the parked vehicles.

A coordinated effort by uniform and plain-clothes officers from the Airport Crime Unit (ACU), along with an assist from the dog unit and YVR security resulted in the arrest of a 54-year old male from Surrey.

A dark-coloured SUV, which has stolen licence plates, was discovered in close proximity to the arrest, containing a dismantled roof rack system, also believed to have been recently stolen.

The suspect is believed to have specialized in cargo/bike rack and accessory thefts, with a particular penchant for the Thule brand. Investigators are looking into other crimes that may be linked to this man.

Multiple charges, say police, are pending.

 “We believe the term, surprised is accurate to describe our presence prior to the suspect being arrested” said Richmond RCMP’s Cpl. Dennis Hwang.

“It was not gone unnoticed that the suspect has actively tried to avoid detection by authorities. Much credit has to go to our crime analysts.

“We are privileged to have some of the best crime analysts in the country. They are an essential part of our detachment and to our policing framework.

“They have been sifting through a lot of data and old case files province wide in order to provide the best intelligence to officers in making this arrest.”

Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact Cpl. J. Sidhu of the Richmond RCMP Airport Crime Unit at 604-278-1212 or by email at Richmond_Tips@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.