A problem property in Willoughby netted $70,000 worth of stolen goods. But it is unlikely charges can be laid against the potential offenders, said Langley RCMP.
On July 27, police were called by Township of Langley bylaw officers to help out at an acreage property in the 20100 block of 84 Avenue while they were conducting a property use inspection.
Bylaw officers had requested police attend because there were two large dogs on the property, said Langley RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Holly Largy.
During the inspection, the police officers took note of a stolen vehicle parked in the driveway, said Largy. The vehicle had been stolen out of Abbotsford.
Irregularities on other vehicles were noted such as incorrect licence plates and VIN numbers that had been scratched off, police said.
Several property offenders known to Langley RCMP frequent this residence and it was decided there were enough grounds to apply for a search warrant for the property.
The property is an acreage with several buildings on it.
The search warrant was executed the following day and a large amount of stolen property was seized, including tools, computers, electronics, vehicles, a tractor, cash, drugs and a variety of identification including driver’s licences and Canadian passports.
However, “charges relative to this search warrant are proving difficult, because there were several people frequenting/living in the house,” said Largy.
PROPERTY OWNER COULD BE FINED
Township bylaw enforcement manager Bill Storie said they will now make sure the property is in compliance with the municipality’s bylaws which include unsightly properties.
“We work with the property owner, not the tenants, to come into compliance. If they don’t we have the options of writing tickets or fining them,” said Storie.
“But in all the years I’ve been doing this job, we know that in cases like this where criminal activity was going on and the RCMP got involved, the tenants usually vacate the property pretty quickly, and move on to somewhere else.”
Storie confirmed that this isn’t a property they have had to go out to before.
Police have managed to connect most of the stolen items found on the property with their rightful owners.
But there is a quantity of building supplies that, as yet, remain unclaimed, including a tractor.
Police believe a lot of the unclaimed items were likely stolen from a construction site. Some of the items include porcelain and stainless steel sinks, rock fascia, compressors, nails, a grinder, faucets, and a tankless water heater among other items.
The owner of the pictured trailer has not been found due to the removal of the serial number, said police.
All in all, nearly $70,000 worth of stolen property was recovered.
If you are able to assist police to return any of the property to its’ rightful owner, please call Langley RCMP at 604-532-3200.
Below is some of the other stolen property police recovered:
