Good Afternoon Block Watch Members,
Surrey RCMP has continued to make a significant impact on auto theft crime across the city with its second “Project Hot Wheels” enforcement initiative.
From September 28 until October 29, enforcement of auto theft resulted in 16 arrests, 59 charges being laid, and 162 recovered stolen vehicles. Of those charges, forty-seven were under the Criminal Code, five involved the Motor Vehicle Act, and seven involved young offenders. Of the 16 individuals arrested, nine were found to be breaching court orders or bail conditions.
Surrey RCMP’s Auto Crime Target Team once again spearheaded Project Hot Wheels with assistance from multiple Surrey units (Property Crime Target Team, Community Response Unit, Bike Squad, Strike Force, and General Duty) and additional support from regional and provincial units including Police Dog Services, Air Services, and the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team (IMPACT).
“Crime analysis and intelligence-led policing were the foundations of Project Hot Wheels as we targeted a number of Surrey’s priority target offenders responsible for a large amount of auto crime,” says Sergeant Paul Hayes. “The project succeeded in reducing the prevalence of additional crimes caused by auto crime thanks to its collaborative and multi-jurisdictional approach.”
Notable investigations include the arrest of a prolific young offender who had over 150 police contacts and was wanted on a Canada wide warrant; two known offenders who were arrested in a stolen vehicle on route to committing an armed robbery; and the arrest of an prolific auto thief who was found in possession of a sizable amount of heroin and methamphetamine.
Officers with Project Hot Wheels also assisted with multi-jurisdiction investigations. These included the execution of a search warrant at a known “chop shop” in Surrey (see release), the arrest of a prison escapee (see release), and the arrest of five offenders during an investigation that spanned the Lower Mainland to Manning Park (see release).
Surrey RCMP reminds residents to do their part in crime prevention as the winter season approaches. As our newest officer, Cpl. Crisp, Cold Weather Specialist, reminds us, “Thieves can’t resist a giveaway. Every year we get reports of vehicles stolen with keys, unlocked, in the driveway. Secure your vehicles!”
For more cold and wet weather safety tips from Cpl. Crisp please visit our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
If you see a theft of auto or theft from auto in progress, please call 9-1-1. If you have information about these or any other crimes, please contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers, if you wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.
ASHLEY SOUSA
CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS COORDINATOR
COORDONNATEUR DES PROGRAMMES DE LA PRÉVENTION DU CRIME
Surrey RCMP District 5 | GRC De Surrey District 5
South Surrey
100-1815 152nd Street, Surrey, BC V4A 9Y9
T: 604-599-7862
F: 604-538-6098