Police Arrest Three Members Of The Group That Have Robbed Many Indo-Canadian Homes And Businesses!
A new report says crime in Newton was up in most categories. Sexual assaults in the area are up 56 per cent, break-ins to businesses are up 68 per cent, and theft from vehicles is up 79 per cent.
By R. Paul Dhillon
SURREY – So who’s behind the ten-fold increase in theft at many houses and businesses in the Newton area of Surrey, majority being high end homes belonging to Indo-Canadians?
According to Surrey RCMP, it is an organized crime group operating in Surrey and across the lower mainland.
Police are warning that despite the arrest of three of its members recently that this group will continue their crime activity and citizens are cautioned to be on the lookout and be extra vigilant.
Investigators with the Surrey RCMP’s Property Crime Target Team and the Burnaby RCMP’s Prolific Offender Suppression Team and Strike Force obtained information on March 20 which led to the arrest of three suspects following a series of residential break and enters in Surrey.
The suspects charged are:
• Stanley Calvin PRICE (33 years, Surrey): Break and Enter with Intent to Commit Offence x 4
• Wyatt James WILLIAM (28 years, Kamloops): Break and Enter with Intent to Commit Offence x 4
• Glen Allan NELSON (31 years, Surrey): Break and Enter with Intent to Commit Offence x 3
These suspects are believed to be part of a larger group that is responsible for multiple residential break and enters throughout the Metro Vancouver region.
Members of this group are usually very selective of the types of homes they target, which usually include high end residences believed to contain expensive jewellery and currency. In addition, the group conducts a number of checks to ensure the homes are unoccupied prior to attempting a break in.
“Our investigators have been very active monitoring individuals believed to be associated with this group and will continue to do so,” says Cpl. Bert Paquet. “Due to the prolific nature of these crimes, however, we are reminding residents to be extra vigilant in securing their homes and properties. This is also the time of year where we usually see a rise in residential thefts as people leave more windows and garage doors are open. As a result we urge residents to review their home safety measures to reduce their chances of becoming a victim.”
The arrests come on the heels of much debate about rising residential and property crime in Surrey, specifically the Newton area of Surrey that also saw the murder of hockey mom Julie Paskall
Surrey New Democrat MLAs, who held a forum on crime last week, are calling for more police officers on the street after new stats showed a crime epidemic in one neighbourhood in the troubled area.
Residents on one stretch of 93B Avenue are facing a serious problem with vandalism and break-ins. Fourteen out of 31 homes have been effected.
“People living in this neighbourhood have told us they are afraid to carry purses. They are afraid to leave their loved ones at home. No one should have to live like this. And no one should be forced from their neighbourhood because they are afraid,” said Harry Bains, MLA for Surrey-Newton.
Surrey has one of the highest crime rates in British Columbia, yet ranks 31st in the province for the number of police officers per capita.
“The RCMP’s first quarter report shows total property crime in Newton is up 51 per cent, with break-and-enters up 40 per cent. These are shocking statistics, but they won’t come as a surprise to the people who live in Newton,” Bains added.
The MLAs have called on all three levels of government to sign on to a Surrey Accord, which would address community safety problems with five key pillars: investing in policing and community courts, regulating recovery homes, committing to a mental health strategy, and creating more accessible social housing.
The report found crime in Newton was up in most categories. Sexual assaults in the area are up 56 per cent, break-ins to businesses are up 68 per cent, and theft from vehicles is up 79 per cent.
RCMP say the quarterly report is only “a snapshot in time” and subject to change for a number of reasons. It says the statistics are drawn from the police PRIME records management system and represent incidents that upon further investigation may not always be substantiated
However, SFU criminologist Rob Gordon says the numbers are large enough to indicate criminals are moving to Newton from areas like Whalley, which is seeing significant redevelopment after a major anti-crime push.
