By Grant Warkentin
One man is in custody and facing charges related to to several late-night crimes in downtown Campbell River earlier this month.
A news release from the RCMP’s Vancouver Island District says an officer patrolling downtown Campbell River shortly after 2 am on August 21 noticed a man “riding an e-bike away from a commercial area in the downtown core under suspicious circumstances,” prompting the officer to investigate, and seize potentially stolen property.
Minutes later, police were notified of a break-in at a nearby local business.
Ernest Patrick Puglas, age 40, is now facing charges of break and enter, two counts of possession of stolen property under $5000, and obstruction of a peace officer after the August 21 incident. He is also facing attempted break and enter and mischief under $5,000 charges related to an earlier incident on August 15.
Puglas is currently in custody awaiting a bail hearing. All charges have been approved by the BC Prosecution Service.
“What’s notable in this case is that our officers identified and investigated the suspicious activity before police were ever called about the break and enter,” said Insp. Jeff Preston, Officer in Charge of the Campbell River RCMP, in the statement. “This is a great example of the value of proactive patrols and officers being engaged in the community during overnight hours.”
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