Crime in British Columbia: Suspects identified in Surrey jewelry store burglary

Police say they have identified two men responsible for a “sophisticated” break-in at a jewelry store in Surrey, B.C., including one man who remains at large and is now wanted on an arrest warrant pan-Canadian.

Surrey RCMP were called to the scene of a break-in at a jewelry store in the Guildford neighborhood around 8 a.m. on March 31 after a witness reported seeing two people charge a safe in a vehicle behind the store.

Officers arrived at the store near the intersection of 108th Avenue and 146th Street and found a rear door ajar, even though the business had not yet opened for the day.

Investigators believe the thieves entered the store through a business located on the second floor of the building, in an operation that likely lasted several hours and “a series of sophisticated events using tools and other entry devices,” Surrey RCMP said in a news release. Friday.

A 51-year-old man, who has since been deported from Canada for an unrelated matter, has been identified as one of the suspects, police said.

The other suspect has been identified as a 27-year-old man from outside British Columbia who now has a nationwide warrant for his arrest.

Police have not released the names of either suspect.

“Despite the extensive planning that appears to have gone into committing this break and enter, it was the concerned citizen who reported it to the police, and the suspects may not have been identified,” said Cpl. . James Mason said in the release.

“We would like to thank this concerned citizen who observed the crime in progress and called the police to report it.”