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Pepper spray used in Maple Ridge home invasion

At least two men, wearing balaclavas and dark clothing, forced their way into the home, but nothing was taken.
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A pair of would-be thieves set off a blast of pepper spray before fleeing a house early Monday in Maple Ridge.

Wearing balaclavas to hide their faces and dark clothing, the men forced their way into the home on 124 Avenue around 4 a.m.

Insp. David Fleugel said the men damaged the house, but did not take anything.

The occupants of the home were pepper sprayed before the men left the house. They were last seen driving towards 232nd Street.

"The occupants of the home were not injured, and the motive for this crime is unknown at this time but it’s suspected to be drug-related," said Fleugel.

• Anyone with information is asked to call RCMP at 604-463-6251. To remain anonymous call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at www.bccrimestoppers.com. CrimeStoppers will pay a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

 

Woman had drugs, Taser and knives

Drugs and weapons were found in a pickup truck early Monday after Mounties stopped the driver for driving while uninsured.

The 39-year-old woman was pulled over around 1:30 a.m. in 23800-block of River Road.

While conducting a search of the truck, Insp. Dave Fluegel said police found several individual packages of what they believe is crystal meth, along with other items consistent with drug trafficking.

A Taser and knives were also seized. The woman was arrested and held in custody for a court appearance later in the day.

 

Driver refuses to give breath samples

Ridge Meadows RCMP are seeking impaired driving charges against a 50-year-old Maple Ridge man involved in a car crash on Sunday.

The two-vehicle crash happened just before 3 p.m. on 228th Street and Lougheed Highway.

Police allege the man showed signs of being impaired by alcohol, so he was asked to provide samples of his breath for analysis.

Insp. Dave Fleugel said the man refused to comply with the officer's demand.

The man was arrested and released on a promise to appear in court. His pickup truck was impounded.

 

Robbed and assaulted

A man who assaulted and robbed another man was arrested Friday.

The theft took place along railway tracks in the 22200-block of River Road around 8:30 p.m.

Police allege the 20-year-old from Coquitlam stole cigarettes, a small amount of money and a cellular phone before running off.

The man met up with a group of friends in the area, but was eventually found by police.

Police said he was found drinking alcohol, violating a probation order.

During the investigation, police found a teenage boy, who is a friend of the accused, in possession of marijuana.

The marijuana was seized and charges of drug possession are being recommended against the youth.

 

Eleven volunteer constables

Ridge Meadows RCMP welcomed 11 new auxiliary constables to the detachment on Thursday night.  A graduation ceremony, attended by Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin and Pitt Meadows Mayor Don MacLean, was held at Thomas Haney Secondary School.

The grad class performed a foot drill before receiving badges from RCMP Supt. Dave Walsh, the officer-in-charge of Ridge Meadows RCMP.

Walsh praised the constables for dedicating three months to training and called them “ultimate volunteers.”

The new auxiliary constables didn’t have long to rest, as they were on duty for Canada Day at 6 a.m. the next day on foot patrols in both Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.

 

Stolen van recovered

A routine traffic stop on Thursday led Ridge Meadows RCMP to a stolen van.

The white van was pulled over around 10:20 a.m. in the 11900-block of 227th Street in Maple Ridge.  A police check of the licence plate showed it had been reported stolen to Burnaby RCMP and resulted in all three occupants being placed under arrest.

Two men from Burnaby, ages 31 and 30, as well as a 28-year old Langley man were released from custody, but will have to appear in court to face charges.

The stolen licence plates were seized as evidence and the van, which is owned by a rental company, was returned to its owner.

 

Cedar shakes stolen

Twenty packs of cedar roofing shakes were stolen last week during a break-in in Maple Ridge.

Thieves entered the sawmill on 287th Street sometime between 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. on Thursday by cutting a hole in the perimeter fence.

 

Golf carts missing

A pair of golf carts was stolen early Thursday during a break-in at the Maple Ridge Golf Course.

Thieves managed to get into a locked compound and drive off with the golf carts around 2:20 a.m.

Police said the thieves may have loaded the golf cars onto another vehicle or driven them to an unknown location.

Both carts are marked with ‘Maple Ridge Golf Course’ logos.