A couple using stolen emergency dispatch radios led Saanich police right to them by broadcasting their location as they used the devices as walkie-talkies.
A pickup truck, belonging to a fire department in West Shore, broke down on Sunday and was towed to an Oak Street mechanic.
That night, thieves broke into the truck and took two portable radios, worth $4,200 each, an axe and other tools, said Saanich police spokesman Sgt. Steve Eassie.
Fire dispatchers began to hear casual conversation on the radios, including a man telling a woman he was going to pick up some items near Uptown, on Monday afternoon.
“This individual probably didn’t have an understanding that [his conversations] would be monitored,” Eassie said.
Officers arrested the man near the Red Lion Inn. Police searched his residence and recovered the radio equipment, which was returned to the fire department. Eassie would not say which West Shore fire department was involved.
A 40-year-old man faces charges of possession of stolen property.
The woman is not facing any charges.
