Like a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, except without the criminal savvy, a man and woman’s Sea to Sky crime spree ended dramatically this week in what Whistler RCMP called a “high-risk takedown.”
The pair, who, earlier this month, reportedly rammed a police car with a stolen vehicle and are believed to be linked to a rash of recent thefts, were arrested in Pemberton early Tuesday, May 17.
In a release this week, police said they were advised at approximately 2:30 a.m. by Toyota’s remote connection services that a Toyota Highlander stolen from the Lower Mainland was located in the area of Park Street in Pemberton.
Whistler RCMP members attended, along with police dog services from the Lower Mainland, and performed “a high-risk takedown” of the pair.
“Our members did a great job in safely locating and arresting these suspects,” said Whistler RCMP Cpl. Nate Miller in the release. “These individuals have committed a great deal of crime in a short period of time in numerous communities.”
Astonishingly, it represented the third stolen vehicle linked to the suspects in the past two weeks. Investigators believe the couple were also responsible for taking a black 2007 Volkswagen Jetta that was reported stolen May 14 from the 1400 block of Poplar Street in Pemberton, the same day Whistler’s northernmost neighbourhood, Emerald, was hit with five reported thefts from vehicles, also linked to the pair. The stolen Jetta was recovered the following day in Whistler.
The suspects’ spree is believed to have begun in Cheakamus Crossing on May 4, when the man and woman had allegedly entered an unlocked home on Whitewater Drive. The two gained entry into the garage and rummaged through unlocked vehicles parked in the driveway, taking car keys and a garage door opener, police said. A witness told investigators she saw the pair gathering items—likely stolen—from beside a nearby utility building before driving off in a dark SUV, which was later determined to be stolen.
The following morning, as officers were back in Cheakamus investigating the rash of reported thefts and break-and-enters, they were advised that a bank card taken the night before had just been used at a business in Creekside. Police headed to Creekside and tracked down the SUV.
After noticing the unmarked police vehicle, the suspects fled. Officers attempted to pull the SUV over at the intersection of Highway 99 and Lake Placid Road, but the suspects rammed the car before speeding northbound.
The stolen vehicle was found hours later abandoned on Cougar Mountain Forest Service Road.
Less than two weeks later, the suspects, who police indicated are from outside the Sea to Sky, were back in the area. Investigators believe they are responsible for five thefts from vehicles reported in Emerald on Saturday, May 14.
At approximately 8 a.m., Whistler RCMP were tipped off to a theft from a vehicle in the 9200 block of Emerald Drive. ID, credit and debit cards were reportedly stolen.
Hours later, a complainant told investigators the stolen credit cards were used at a retail store in Pemberton, where officers attended and obtained security footage of the suspects.
“The public needs to take the time to ensure that no personal belongings are left in their vehicles,” Miller said in the release.
A second report of a theft from a vehicle came in at about 10 a.m., this time from the 9300 block of Emerald Drive. Two unlocked vehicles were accessed and various personal items, including a wallet, were reported stolen. A stolen credit card was reportedly used at a store in Pemberton later that day.
A half-hour later, a fourth vehicle was reportedly accessed and personal items stolen, also on Emerald Drive.
Wasting no time, at approximately 10:45 a.m., a fifth report came in; this time, various credit and debit cards, along with some clothing, were allegedly stolen from a vehicle.
In a statement, Miller urged members of the public in Whistler and Pemberton “once more to please ensure that your vehicles and residences are locked at all time. Please ensure that your personal valuable items are removed from your vehicles.”
-with files from Megan Lalonde
