RCMP in Dawson Creek have recovered more than $200,000 in stolen goods — the result of a crime spree in which two thieves blazed a destructive trail from Grande Prairie to Dawson Creek.
The suspects, two men ages 29 and 33, are both from Grande Prairie, police say.
They were arrested after being found passed out behind the wheel of two different stolen vehicles, in two different locations April 1.
Police believe the men worked together, breaking into and stealing from multiple businesses, residences and vehicles between Grande Prairie and Dawson Creek.
"These were not the worlds brightest criminals," Dawson Creek RCMP spokesperson Sgt. Ed Reinink told the Alaska Highway News on Tuesday.
According to Reinink, the crime spree began when the pair allegedly stole a pick-up truck valued at $60 - $70,000 in Grande Prairie before making their way to Beaverlodge. There, they allegedly stole another pick-up truck of roughly the same value, and broke into a laundromat stealing money from the machines.
Dawson Creek RCMP were alerted by their cross-border colleagues that the thieves were likely heading in their direction.
While responding to the stolen vehicle complaints from Beaverlodge and Grande Prairie related to this case, Dawson Creek RCMP pulled over a vehicle matching the description that turned out not to be stolen. Police however did recover small quantities of cocaine and marijuana, along with firearms and a prohibited magazine.
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Following this, police in Dawson Creek responded to several complaints of thefts in progress. These thefts and the two stolen vehicle complaints were later linked to the two suspects now remanded into custody.
Reinink says police believe the two men rummaged through an estimated 15 vehicles in the industrial area of Dawson Creek, smashing the windows and grabbing whatever was inside.
"One guy was in a travel trailer that he lives in and they were in the trailer while he was sleeping," Reinink said. "He scared them off. He woke up and yelled at them [and they took off]."
Both suspects were later arrested without incident.
One was passed out behind the wheel of a stolen pick-up in the Tim Horton's parking lot on 8th Street, while the other was passed out behind the wheel of the second stolen pick-up truck in the parking lot of a local towing company.
Over $200,000 in stolen property was recovered — so many items that local police are still processing it all, Reinink said, adding there were over 160 items and counting.
"One of the vehicles was so full of stolen property there was only room for the driver in there," he said. " The entire cab was packed to the roof and the box of the truck was as well."
Items recovered include a stolen dirt bike, a boat, industrial equipment and over 15 wallets and pieces of personal identification.
The names of the suspects are not being released until they face charges in court, Reinink said.
One of the suspects was scheduled to appear in court April 7, while the other will make his first court appearance on April 17.
"[We] anticipate there will be a significant amount of charges approved by Crown counsel against both males," Reinink said in a release.
