Two arrested after attempted theft in North Vancouver

Two men were arrested by North Vancouver RCMP after an attempted theft of catalytic convertors.

Just after midnight on Sunday, October 4, a resident of North Van’s upper Lonsdale neighbourhood called 9-1-1 after spotting two thieves allegedly removing the catalytic converter from his neighbour’s Honda CRV.

Officers found the suspect’s vehicle fleeing eastbound on Highway 1.

Officers laid down a ‘spike belt’ tire deflation device ahead of the vehicle, which deflated three tires.

The suspects abandoned the vehicle on the other side of the Second Narrows bridge and fled on foot into an East Vancouver neighbourhood.

Additional officers flooded the area and an unoccupied vehicle was soon located near Slocan St. in Vancouver.

Shortly after, two suspects were found near Renfrew St. and E. Hastings St. by and taken into custody without incident.

Two males in their 30s, one a resident of Surrey and the other of Port Coquitlam, are alleged to have committed a variety of offences, including Theft, Mischief, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle, and Flight From Police.

One of the individuals was also arrested on an outstanding warrant from Langley.

In recent months, North Vancouver RCMP have been warning the community about catalytic converter thefts and asking residents to observe and report anything they feel is suspicious in their neighbourhoods.

“The neighbour did exactly what we’ve been encouraging the community to do. They called 9-1-1 and reported what they were seeing,” said DeVries, who wishes to remind the community of the important role they play in helping prevent crime.

“We want criminals to know that if they’re planning on committing crime in North Van, we won’t be sitting back. The community will be watching, and the police will be responding.”