Police in Vancouver, with the help of the Surrey RCMP, have arrested three people for allegedly buying and selling large quantities of stolen property.
One man and two women, ranging in age from 49 to 61, have been arrested in an investigation that spanned a few months. The Vancouver Police (VPD) say stolen items such as razor blades, perfume and alcohol were bought from drug addicts and then sold at a store in Surrey.
Investigators say hundreds of crimes were committed every month to feed the stolen goods business.
In August and September, 2015, the VPD Anti-Fencing Unit acted on information police received regarding the owners of a convenience store on King George Hwy in Surrey, saying the business was merely a front for a fencing operation. It was alleged that large quantities of property, stolen in Vancouver, was being bought, sold, and ordered at this business.
The stolen goods were resold to other retailers, sent overseas, or further distributed at flea markets.
Investigators executed search warrants at the business, as well as two residences, all located in Surrey. Police seized $10,000 in cash and well over $100,000 in stolen property. A Mercedes Benz believed to have been used to transport the stolen goods was also seized.
Among the stolen property, officers found over-the-counter medications that police believe were being resold to manufactures producing methamphetamine in local clandestine labs.
The three arrested are well known to police and have been released pending further investigation and charge approval.
“Criminals do not recognize city boundaries,” says VPD Inspector Earl Andersen. “Police agencies will continue to work together on crime committed by chronic and prolific offenders that directly affect and cause an incredible amount of harm to our communities, and enormous losses for legitimate businesses.”
Anyone with information of an underground operation fencing stolen property, sometimes referred to as a ‘hot house’ is asked to call the Vancouver Police Anti-Fencing Unit at (604) 717-3220. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477 or download their mobile App at the Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers website.
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