Police in Burnaby are trying to reunite the owners of hundreds of thousands of dollars in property stolen from high-end houses under construction.
Thieves targeted unfinished homes in Burnaby, Coquitlam and West Vancouver between September 2022 and February 2023, taking high-value appliances, home furnishings and other fixtures.
Some of the items individually are worth $25,000.
“The stolen property included everything from stoves, fridges, toilets and plumbing fixtures to flooring and lighting, with many items still in their original packaging,” said Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Chad Premack in a statement.
An RCMP strike force unit specializing in robberies and property crimes began investigating in October and identified a suspect. Searches were done at three properties early last month, two in the Lower Mainland and one just north of Creston.
Two shipping containers packed from floor to ceiling with stolen goods were found, and a Lower Mainland man was arrested while the investigation continues.
“This is a significant seizure, not just due to the sheer volume of stolen goods but also due to the value of many of these high-end items, which appear to have been strategically targeted due to their value,” said Premack.
While police try to track down the rightful owners, they’re appealing for potential victims to come forward. Investigators say while most of the thefts were in the Lower Mainland, homes in southeast B.C. might have also been targeted.
Anyone who thinks they’ve had property stolen is asked to provide their information along with when and what was stolen by email at E_Burnaby_Strikeforce_[email protected].
Police say detailed descriptions and serial numbers and the circumstances of the theft will be helpful.
