'Prolific thief' arrested after series of vehicle break-ins

A Saanich resident was arrested this week after police investigated a series of vehicle break-ins in the Greater Victoria area.

In total, over 20 thefts from vehicles were investigated over a two-month window, which ultimately led police to a suspect in Saanich.

On Wednesday, detectives conducted a search warrant on a residence in the 1500 block of North Dairy Road.

Saanich Police said that the Greater Victoria Emergency Team was required in the response, as the home was believed to have some kind of “hazards.”

In the end, police said the search yielded over 100 pieces of personal documents such as bank cards, driver’s licences, passports, work ID tags, as well as laptops and other personal items.

Some of the bank cards were used to make fraudulent purchases in the region.

While officers believe that most of these items had been stolen from vehicles since the start of the year, further processing will be required in an attempt to trace each item to specific crimes.

Every attempt to return the items to their rightful owners will be made, they added.

The suspect, a 45-year-old Saanich resident, was arrested and charged with breach of release order and one count of possession of property obtained by crime. Charges of possession of stolen property, fraud, and identity theft are being investigated.

“The suspect was well-known to police for similar offences over the years,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades. “This a good reminder for everyone to try their best to remove important personal and valuable items from their vehicle when left unattended. Most of these thefts occurred in public parks when the occupants left their valuables hidden in their vehicles before they set off for a walk or hike.”