How do I...
If the crime you are reporting is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
If the crime you are reporting is not an emergency, you can call the non-emergency line at 604-525-5411 or attend our Front Counter at 555 Columbia Street, New Westminster, BC.
On Sunday April Fourth at 1415 hours, Constable Justine Thom was on routine patrol in the Unit Block of East Columbia Street when a blue Ford Ranger caught her attention for failing to signal during a lane change and she also noted that the vehicle did not have a front license plate. Constable Thom drove her marked police vehicle in the suspect vehicles direction however, the driver of the vehicle turned off on a side street in what appeared to be an attempt to avoid Constable Thom.
Curious about the motorist’s action, Constable Thom deduced the vehicles direction and headed towards a side street that the suspect vehicle would eventually drive by. The vehicle did indeed drive by Constable Thom’s location at which time she pulled behind the vehicle and followed it. Constable Thom queried the vehicles rear license plate, originating from Alberta, as she followed the vehicle over the Pattullo bridge.
Constable Thom had radioed in her position and awaited for New Westminster police cover officers before she pulled the suspicious vehicle over to the curb just off of the King George Highway in Surrey. The adult male driver and female passenger were cooperative in providing their identification and the vehicles registration papers.
Upon returning to her patrol vehicle, Constable Thom and her covering partner noticed a safe with a punched out tumbler sitting in the bed of the suspect’s pickup truck. Constable Thom then arrested the two accused for possession of stolen property and commenced their investigation. During a search for weapons Thom discovered a myriad of tools for committing criminal offences. Numerous gloves, balaclava’s, two- way radios, pry bars, saws, sledge hammers, a replica handgun, and pepper spray.
Also located in the pickup truck was property that was later established as being linked to recent break and enters in Surrey and Chilliwack.
Arrested and remanded in custody are; Ian Archibald Thomas MacTavish forty-four years of age and, Erin Edwards (female) thirty-five years of age both are residents of Burnaby. Police are recommending criminal charges of possession of stolen property and possession of break and enter instruments. Of note, MacTavish is also subject to numerous warrants in the province of Alberta.
