A call from a witness reporting a stolen car set off a chain of events that led to the arrest of a suspect.
Around 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, the New Westminster Police Department received a call from someone who thought they’d just seen their friend’s stolen car being driven through New Westminster.
When officers located the vehicle, parked outside a store in Queensborough, they saw a man running from the store carrying suspected stolen property – and a security guard running after him, said a NWPD news release.
According to the NWPD, the suspect entered a vehicle and fled the scene.
“The New Westminster Police Department Street Crime Unit, working in unmarked vehicles, were able to follow the vehicle into Vancouver, where it was eventually stopped, with the male being taken into custody by a VPD K-9 unit,” said the news release. “During this incident, the male rammed one of the NWPD vehicles; however, damage was minor and no injuries were sustained.”
The New Westminster Police Department offered thanks to the Vancouver Police Department for its assistance with this investigation.
“Dealing with mobile stolen vehicles can be a high-risk venture for police, as we want to avoid dangerous pursuits that can put the public at risk,” Deputy Chief Const. Paul Hyland said in the news release. “We have had a few of these incidents recently, and I am grateful for the work being done by our members to ensure they are being resolved in a safe manner.”
The New Westminster Police Department also thanked the person who dialed 911 to report their sighting of the stolen vehicle.
Mathew Christopher Nicholls, a 41-year-old Langley resident, has been charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000; theft under $5,000; and breach of release order.
