Police have arrested and charged three men and a woman who are believed to be responsible for a violent home invasion that took place on Sept. 8 in a man’s Langley City apartment.
At that time, clear video surveillance of the suspects entering the victim’s apartment building were distributed to the media to solicit the public’s assistance with their identification.
“The response from the public in this case was outstanding. With the collective efforts of the RCMP and the public, we can and will have positive advancements in these types of investigations,” said Insp. Murray Power, officer in charge of the Langley RCMP.
“To have charges approved for an incident of this nature is extremely important to police, victims of this crime and our communities,” Power said.
The Times posted the story on its Facebook page and there was tremendous interest in it. It was shared 202 times, with 23,824 people viewing it.
It was around 3:15 a.m., on Sept. 8, when the victim responded to a knock at his door and opened it to a young woman. When the door opened, three men forced themselves into the apartment.
The victim was ordered to be quiet and instructed to sit in a chair, said police. One of the suspects struck the victim several times, leaving a mark and swelling on his face.
The victim was held at knifepoint while the remaining suspects rummaged through his apartment. A number of items were taken, including a Blackberry Playbook, two laptops, the victim’s wallet, several wristwatches and two Masonic rings.
Police believe the suspects were driving a GMC Jimmy or Chevy Blazer type vehicle.
Charged with break and enter and assault with a weapon are Georgia Krenus, 18, of Langley, Andreas Bronk, 24, of Chilliwack, Dustyn Wald, a 22-year-old from Surrey and Mauricio Avila, 22, of Langley.
Krenus has been released on bail while Bronk and Wald remain in custody.
Avila is also charged with taking a vehicle without an owner’s consent. He has been held in custody and will next appear in court on Oct. 30.
The other three will appear in court on Wednesday.