At approximately 1130 a.m. on April 19^th , police responded to a report of a two vehicle motor vehicle accident. A cement truck travelling south on Holmes Street struck a vehicle at the intersection of E. Columbia. The truck pushed the vehicle over the concrete median and up and over the embankment, the vehicle caught fire and one person was confirmed deceased at the scene. The Coroner was advised, the collision investigation team was activated. The Major Crime Section was later assigned the investigation.

During routine patrol, police located a vehicle and two males in the area of 30 Braid Street. The males appeared to be in the process of dismantling a Telus payphone unit that was traced to be from outside the Braid Street Skytrain station. A 44 year old Burnaby resident and a 32 year old Vancouver resident are charged with Theft, Possess Break In Tools, and Possession of Stolen Property.

A taxi driver picked up a male at the 8^th Street SkyTrain station. The male directed the driver to the 700 block Carnarvon Street where he told him to stop. There the male threatened the driver with a crow bar inside the taxi in an attempt to rob him. A struggle ensued and the driver wrestled the crowbar away from the male. The male then ran on foot and the taxi driver gave chase in his vehicle. Police located the suspect and a foot chase ensued resulting in his arrest. A 26 year old Pitt Meadows resident is charged with Robbery.

At 8:34 p.m. a report came in that a female was observed walking into Douglas College with a handgun in her waistband.   All available members on duty responded in addition to a request for the police helicopter Air 1. During the course of the investigation, the suspect was located and it was determined that the weapon tucked in her waistband was a prop, and that the female was involved in a drama program. Subsequent investigation determined that the drama program was not directly related to Douglas College, but was using the facility on a contract basis. Douglas College has strict policy prohibiting the use of any such props. The New Westminster Police is very appreciative of the College’s assistance with this most serious investigation. Action has been taken on the part of the College to prevent a similar incident from occurring in future.

 

The Canada Games Pool called 911 to state that a female had entered the facility and was believed to be the suspect from a previous theft. On this date, prior to police arrival, the female suspect entered the changeroom and emerged with a purse and went outside to a waiting vehicle. A direction of travel was provided and the vehicle was pulled over by police. The suspects were arrested and several items believed to be stolen were recovered. All parties were arrested for Theft in addition to a Breach of Probation charge. Charges of Possession of Stolen Property recommended against a 29 and 35 year old Chilliwack resident.

Police stopped a vehicle associated to a local well known prolific property crime offender who was believed to be living in New Westminster with his girlfriend. The driver was arrested for an outstanding warrant out of Vancouver. In addition, he was found in possession of several counterfeit pieces of identification and fraudulent credit cards, all contrary to his conditions of probation for similar charges currently before the courts. The driver also faces several new offences in relation to the counterfeit identification cards he had on his person.  

OSU members continued to perform high-visibility mobile and foot patrols, street checks, and nuisance by-law enforcement throughout the city, with particular attention to the parks and downtown/uptown areas of New Westminster. The transition to the warmer and dryer spring weather conditions has increased the nuisance activity on the streets and in the parks.
 

The homeless patrols of the known hotspots have become less frequent due to the lack of necessity for them as fewer homeless camps are being located.
 

OSU continued to review all Theft from Auto files as part of a strategy to ensure any patterns or possible suspects may be quickly identified and apprehended.
 

The OSU members continued to assist the local Probation Office by performing curfew/address checks on their clients and other clients residing in New Westminster. Numerous checks were performed throughout the month.
 

The Lacrosse season commenced again at the end of April. OSU members were in attendance at the Friday evening Intermediate A game on April 29^th, where a few liquor violation tickets were issued.
 

OSU members flexed their schedules to align with the NHL play-off games to provide uniformed support to the patrol watches during the games.