Police seize two rifles and large amount of stolen property in Maple Ridge

Photos: RCMP

LANGLEY RCMP’s Special Response Team (SRT) with assistance from multiple Lower Mainland policing partners seized guns, a radio jammer and a large amount of stolen property after a vehicle with stolen license plates fled from a traffic stop.

On February 9 just before 10 p.m., Langley RCMP’s SRT officers were conducting proactive patrols when they observed a black Ford Explorer driving slowly around the loading dock area of the Langley Walmart. As the Explorer passed the SRT officers, a rear license plate was obtained and determined to have been reported stolen from a different Explorer.

SRT reached out to RCMP Air Services Air 1 for assistance and continued to observe the Explorer as it drove slowly around the Walmart. The vehicle eventually stopped in front of the doors as a man exited the store. The man got into the passenger side and the Explorer drove away. Air 1 arrived and when SRT attempted to pull the Explorer over, it fled from the area at a high rate of speed.

Air 1, with assistance from SRT, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia’s Uniform Gang Enforcement Team, and Surrey RCMP’s Gang Enforcement Team (SGET) were able to follow the Explorer at a safe distance to a residence in Maple Ridge where it pulled into a garage. Officers from Ridge Meadows RCMP Detachment were called in to assist.

As officers were approaching the residence, the garage door began to open and the Explorer suddenly attempted to reverse out, getting stuck under the partially open garage door.

Three occupants were located in the Explorer and arrested without further incident.

During the arrest, officers located two rifles, a radio jammer and a large amount of property suspected to have been stolen from businesses around the Lower Mainland.

All three occupants were transported to Langley Detachment and released pending further investigation.

“Having multiple units assisting and seamlessly working together facilitated the safe and successful conclusion to a dynamic situation,” said Cpl. van Herk, Media Relations Officer for Langley RCMP. “Our communities remain safer for it.”

Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200 and quote file number 24-4242. If you wish to make an anonymous report, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.