While a college student was tickling the ivories, a thief made off with a backpack containing several thousands of dollars of electronic devices.
But within hours of the theft from a room on the third floor of Douglas College, a New West police officer tracked down a suspect and the stolen backpack.
According to police, a Douglas College student called the New Westminster Police Department’s non-emergency line on the evening of Saturday, March 31 to report that her backpack had been stolen. An NWPD patrol member met with the student and conducted an investigation, which included obtaining CCTV footage of the suspect.
Within three hours of the offence being reported, the police officer located the suspect walking near Westminster Pier Park, said a NWPD news release.
The NWPD said the suspect was arrested without incident, and the student’s backpack and all its contents were recovered.
“The victim did the right thing and called us right away,” said NWPD Sgt. Andrew Leaver. “This allowed our officer to waste no time in collecting evidence and speaking with the victim. The thief was caught, the property returned to its rightful owner, and, I believe, the student didn’t miss any assignment deadlines.”
The New Westminster Police Department reminds students to be mindful of their surroundings and keep a watchful eye over their valuables.
If you’re a victim of theft, you can call the New Westminster Police Department at 604-525-5411.
