New Westminster – On August 25th at approximately 8:00am patrol officers responded to a call from someone who believed they had just seen their friend’s stolen car being driven through New Westminster. When officers located the vehicle parked outside a local store they witnessed a man running from the store carrying suspected stolen property with a security guard running after him. The suspect entered the 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. 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 thanks the Vancouver Police Department for their assistance with this investigation.
41 year old Mathew Christopher Nicholls of Langley has been charged with the following:
One count of possession of stolen property over $5000 contrary to section 355(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada;
One count of theft under $5000, contrary to section 334 (b) of the Criminal Code of Canada;
One count of breach of release order contrary to Section 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada.
“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,” stated Deputy Chief Constable Paul Hyland. “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.”
Additionally, the New Westminster Police Department would like to thank the person who dialed 9-1-1 to report their sighting of the stolen vehicle.
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CONTACT PERSON: Hailey Finnigan
Email: communications@nwpolice.org