ON the evening of May 31, the New Westminster Police Department Street Crime Unit assisted the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT) and Air 1 to further an investigation led by IMPACT into a suspected group of luxury car thieves.

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 had been stolen from New Westminster.

The New Westminster Forensic Identification Unit processed the vehicles and successfully pulled fingerprints belonging to the suspects.

New Westminster Police said on Wednesday that Mohammed Bouterra, 19, Al Rifai, 22, and Yahya Zitouni, 21, have plead 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 offence.

“This was a team effort to put a stop to a highly coordinated and sophisticated car theft operation,” said Sgt. Justine Thom. “Criminals should know that we’re coordinated, we’re sharing information, and we’re watching the moves they make.”

“This was a challenging investigation and IMPACT Investigators with the assistance of the NWPD were able to bring it to a very successful conclusion,” said Sgt. Bob Harris of IMPACT. “IMPACT is committed to working proactively with our municipal and RCMP partners to combat auto crime.”

Anyone with information on car thefts in New Westminster is asked to call 604-525-5411.