Two Abbotsford men are in trouble with the law after they were caught red-handed loading items from an outbuilding they were robbing into a stolen vehicle.
Their apprehension, said Langley RCMP spokesman Cpl. Holly Marks, is due to police work and sharp-eyed residents who reported the crime.
It occurred shortly before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 27 when the two residents witnessed a break and enter in progress, watching as two men broke into a shop (a detached shed) on rural property in the 2300 block of 272 Street.
The men were seen carrying items from the shop to a vehicle, returning several times for more items from the building.
The first officer dispatched to the scene noticed one of the suspects running away. The officer gave chase, and caught the man.
The second suspect also fled, but was found hiding in bushes nearby.
As the officers took the two suspects into custody, they were advised of a recent report of a vehicle that had been stolen in Abbotsford. It turned out to be the same vehicle the culprits were using for the break and enter on 272 Street, Marks said.
Police will recommend charges against the two men, aged 41 and 42, who are both from Abbotsford.
Inspector Stephan Drolet of Langley RCMP said he was encouraged that the two residents helped in the apprehension of the suspects.
That the stolen property was returned and nobody was hurt "demonstrates the benefits of us all working together to keep our community safe," Drolet said.
Police have not revealed what the outbuilding contained.