A man and woman from Mount Currie are facing charges after a report of several stolen licence plates led police to the suspects.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on March 13, Pemberton RCMP responded to a complaint of a couple removing licence plates from vehicles on Reid Road. When officers attended the scene, they managed to locate and arrest the female suspect, but the male was nowhere to be found.
Thanks to a description of the suspect provided by a witness, police were able to track down the man several days later. During the arrest, officers found identification that was reportedly stolen earlier this year, and determined that the pair of $600 hiking boots he was wearing at the time had recently been stolen from a location in Pemberton.
Both suspects were arrested and released with a promise to appear in court in June.
The stolen ID and hiking boots were returned to their rightful owners, police said.
"Pemberton RCMP wish to again thank the citizens of Pemberton for reporting any and all suspicious activity and for providing RCMP with detailed suspect descriptions," read an RCMP release.
MAN, WOMAN FOUND WITH STOLEN LICENCE PLATE, BREAK-IN TOOLS IN CREEKSIDE
What began as a vehicle stop ended in multiple charges for a man and woman this week.
Two RCMP officers on patrol in the Creekside area at 3:15 a.m. on March 25 noticed a black Ford F150 in front of a business. When Mounties checked the licence plate, they discovered that it belonged to another vehicle, a white 2017 Chrysler Pacifica.
Under suspicions the plate was stolen, both suspects were arrested. A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a quantity of suspected MDMA and a bag containing what appeared to be break-in tools.
Both suspects, a 40-year-old Squamish man and a 32-year-old Maple Ridge woman, face charges of possession of stolen property and possession of break-in instruments. The woman also faces an additional charge after breaching an earlier court order.
MULTIPLE INJURIES CAUSED BY ACCELERANT USE ON FIRES
Squamish police are warning the public not to use accelerants on outdoor fires after three separate incidents resulted in over half a dozen injuries and left one man in critical condition over the past week.
Squamish RCMP was notified of the first incident on March 4 when three individuals were injured after gasoline was poured on a bonfire in Brackendale. The next two reports came in on March 16. The first involved two people who were seriously injured on Lewis Drive after what was thought to be paint thinner was poured on an open fire, causing it to "burst into flames," police said. One man remains in critical condition.
The second incident occurred in Brackendale, where a girl suffered "extensive burns" after an accelerant was poured onto a campfire before igniting the container, spreading the flames.
"All incidents are being investigated by the Squamish RCMP, and those who are responsible may be facing criminal charges," said Cpl. Sascha Banks, in a release. "We are extremely concerned about the number of incidents reported and educating the public on fire safety is paramount to prevent further injuries."
Squamish Fire Chief Bill Stoner is working with the RCMP to educate the public on fire safety.
"Pouring flammable liquids on burning fires may seem like an inconsequential event, but this action can create extreme fire conditions which may cause excruciating burns and possible disfigurement. The consequences could stay with a person for life; it's not worth the risk," he said in the release.
Anyone with questions about fire safety can contact Squamish Fire Rescue at [email protected] or 604-898-9666.
