A 20-year-old prolific offender was arrested and faces five charges for a smash-and-grab downtown Chilliwack one week ago.
Branden Paul Tanner is charged with mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000, two counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000, and possessing a break-in instrument.
In the afternoon on Nov. 30, RCMP Prolific Offender Suppression Team (POST) officers were conducting an investigation in the area of Gore Avenue and Nowell Street when they spotted a known prolific offender on a bike carrying a number of items.
“The individual was identified by the Chilliwack RCMP as a prolific offender and known to our officers who turned their attention to his activity,” said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mike Rail in a press release.
POST investigators patrolled the area and quickly noticed a pickup truck parked at the corner of Young Road and Victoria Avenue was the subject of a smash and grab. Evidence gathered at the scene pointed investigators back to the cyclist.
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Within minutes, officers located Tanner and he was arrested. Articles linking him to property stolen from the pickup and other thefts reported to the Chilliwack RCMP were seized by officers during the arrest.
“RCMP plainclothes officers remaining alert and flexible during one investigation, shifted their focus to apprehend the suspect,” Rail said.
Tanner initially faced just two charges, but after a Dec. 4 court appearance, the charge approval was altered. He now faces five charges.
And this wasn’t his only arrest for criminal activity in the last seven days. On Dec. 3, one day before his court appearance for the above incident, and three days after that alleged incident, Tanner was again arrested, this time for possession of a break-in instrument, identity theft, and dealing with identity document without lawful excuse, and two breaches of undertaking.
He was already on probation for an assault on Aug. 5, and was sentenced to 49 days jail for a Sept. 13. possession of break-in instrument and identity theft.
Tanner has a lengthy adult criminal history since the day he turned 18 two years ago.
He is out on bail and is next due in court to face the charges from the two separate incidents on Dec. 18.
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