Prince Rupert RCMP arrested five youth Sunday (March 4) after an islander waiting at the ferry terminal noticed several young people trying to break into vehicles.
The man called police on his cell phone around 5 am, said Const. Steve Richards. When police arrived at the terminal, they saw one man run from a nearby truck and jump into a waiting vehicle. The vehicle fled the scene and did not stop when officers activated their lights and sirens.
Police chased the vehicle through Rupert and eventually to Wantage Road, at the base of Mount Hays, Const. Richards said. Although the pursuit was at low speeds and there were few people on the roads, the chase was eventually broken off by police due to terrible road conditions.
A short time later, officers used the police dog unit to help them find the suspect vehicle and four suspects. Two additional suspects were identified by the youth, one of whom turned himself into police later that day.
In all, six suspects were identified and five have been arrested, Const. Richards said. Charges are being recommended.
RCMP recovered a large amount of stolen property from the suspect vehicle as well as from the residences of the youth and will be working to return the goods to the owners. The property consisted of car stereo equipment, tools and other items.
Const. Richards said these type of break-ins have been happening in Rupert wherever people leave vehicles parked, such as the ferry terminal and the sea plane base.