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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.
New Westminster – As earlier reported, in the early morning hours of July 6th, 2016, New Westminster Police Department patrol members responded to a call of an interrupted break and enter to a residence in the 400 block of Queens Avenue. On arrival, members located a resident who was suffering from significant but non-life threatening injuries.
Given the serious nature of this occurrence, the NWPD’s Major Crime Unit assumed control of the investigation with the assistance of the department’s Street Crime Unit, Operational Support Unit and Forensic Identification Unit.
An initial suspect, Stephen Smith, was identified and taken into custody on this matter on July 7th. The NWPD Major Crime Unit continued its intensive investigation into this incident and were able to identify two additional suspects who have now also been taken into custody.
All three suspects: Stephen Smith, a 21 year old Coquitlam resident; Carlos Fernando Almendarez Navaro, a 22 year old Port Coquitlam resident; and 22 year old Victor Junior James have been charged with the following offences:
- Aggravated Assault – section 268(2) of the Criminal Code;
- Break and Enter – section 348(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
- Unlawful Confinement – section 279(2) of the Criminal Code;
- Robbery – section 344(1)(b) of the Criminal Code; and,
- Possession of property obtained by crime – section 355 of the Criminal Code.
“Given the very serious nature of this incident, it was a high priority investigation from the start. We have dedicated a significant amount of resources into making sure no stone was left unturned in identifying those we believe are responsible,” Said Staff-Sergeant Chad Johnston. “While these kinds of incidents are rare, they can have a significant impact on a community, and we are pleased that these three individuals are in custody due to the hard work of the investigators involved”.
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