Police have named two Maple Ridge residents now charged in connection with a string of auto crimes in the area.
Darren Paul Deadder and Krista Marie Marshall face 13 charges total.
Deadder, 35, faces two charges of possession of stolen property under $5,000, one charge of identity theft, and two charges of dealing with an identification document without lawful excuse.
Marshall, 27, faces three charges of possession of stolen property under $5,000, a charge of ID theft, three charges of dealing with an ID document without lawful excuse, and one charge of taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent.
Deadder has been labelled a prolific offender, and was recently been released from prison, according to Ridge Meadows RCMP.
Marshall has no criminal history.
Const. Amanda Harnett said the arrests, made Monday, are significant because police have recovered personal ID documents that were recently reported stolen from cars and trucks.
She said the RCMP’s prolific offender suppression team saw a car they say was stolen at about 2 p.m. Monday on Edge Street in the 11900-block and saw two people leave the vehicle.
Deadder was arrested at the Maple Ridge probation office, while Marshall was arrested at a business nearby.
Police say they’re confident that the recovered stolen personal property is all from recent theft from vehicles in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
“Ridge Meadows RCMP continue to make auto crime their top policing priority at the moment due to the recent increase in auto crime.”
The arrests were warmly welcomed by the Protecting Our Communities Facebook group. Erik Inzunza, one of the auto crime victims said, “Protect and serve, proud of you,”
“Nice work,” added Lisa Sommerfeld-Vecchies.
“Thanks to all the people who helped with this. Pat yourself on the back. This just proves that together we can make a difference.”
Ridge Meadows RCMP, also part of the group, thanked everyone for being “totally engaged” concerning the recent rash of theft from autos. They also appreciate the administrators of the group allowing them to participate.
Police say that Monday’s arrests are not the end of their efforts at combatting auto crime.
Two more suspects could be arrested after credit cards stolen from a vehicle were used at a convenience store.
RCMP say between March 30 and April 5, 41 cars were broken into in Maple Ridge and 21 in Pitt Meadows. This March alone saw the highest monthly number of thefts from vehicles since 2008.
Stolen bike
Ridge Meadows RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating an expensive triathlon bicycle.
Sometime during the night of Sunday April 19 a thief gained entry to a residential garage in the 12100 block of Makinson Street and stole a triathlon Felt T23 road bike worth an estimated $2,000.
RCMP Const. Amanda Harnett said they are releasing a photo of this stolen bike in the hopes that a citizen will spot it and call police.
“The bike is very unique and distinguishable. It is a red ‘Felt’ 11-speed bike, and is used for triathlons,” said Hartnett.
• Anyone with any information is asked to call Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604 463-6251.