Weapons including a stun gun and stolen property including 2 war medals seized
Burnaby: In a joint-forces project of New Westminster and Burnaby RCMP the arrest of 18 people and the seizure of numerous weapons and stolen property.
On August, 14, 2014, the Burnaby RCMP, New West Police Department with the assistance of the Lower Mainland District Emergency Response Team, executed a warrant at a home in the 7700-block of 6 Street following complaints from the community about alleged criminal activity around the area.
During the search, police seized a stun gun, machetes, 10 swords, nine knives, a switchblade, which is a prohibited weapon in Canada, pepper spray, a crossbow, ammunition, numerous pellet guns easily mistaken for the real thing, a collapsible baton, a bayonets, low-grade body armour, an explosive device and a .38 calibre handgun which appears to be decommissioned.
Two war medals—one believed to be from Vietnam and the other from the Second World War, coin collections, a mountain bike, point-of-sale terminal (credit/debit card swipe machine) and various identifications were also found.
While the residence is in Burnaby, some of the 18 people living there were believed to be involved in ongoing property and drug-related crimes in Burnaby and neighboring New Westminster. Police in both communities received several complaints from property owners concerned about the criminal activity.
Police took two men into custody, one on an outstanding warrant while the remaining 16 were arrested but later released. One of the two men taken into custody is facing numerous charges. Police are recommending 23 counts of breach of a court undertaking, five counts of failing to comply with a weapon and/or firearms prohibition order, two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon and one count of unauthorized possession of an explosive device.
“This is a great example of the high level of communication and cooperation between the Burnaby RCMP and New Westminster Police Department to target areas of criminal activity that impacts our two communities. We’re stronger working together especially when we have areas of joint concern,” said Chief Superintendent Dave Critchley, Burnaby RCMP’s Officer-in-Charge.
“This is a great example of effectively working with our policing partners to collaboratively solve crime that has a profound effect on our communities. This is intelligence-led policing at its finest and we are always pleased when we can get weapons off our streets that could potentially harm the public,” said Chief Dave Jones of the New Westminster Police Department.
The City of Burnaby has conducted a property inspection identifying a number of bylaw deficiencies and is in the process of working with the property owner to comply with repairs. The City of Burnaby and the Burnaby RCMP will continue to monitor the property.
