Crime

RCMP major crimes Superintendent Sanjaya Wijayakoom speaks during a press conference where the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit released its investigation findings into the June 28, 2022, Saanich bank shootout. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Brothers aimed to kill police, didn’t expect to survive Saanich bank shootout

22-year-old Cowichan Valley brothers were killed in the June 2022 gunbattle outside BMO branch

RCMP major crimes Superintendent Sanjaya Wijayakoom speaks during a press conference where the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit released its investigation findings into the June 28, 2022, Saanich bank shootout. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
RCMP execute a warrant at a Murray Street residence last month. The property was slapped with a nuisance designation at Nanaimo city council’s meeting Monday, Jan. 16. (Photo submitted)

Nanaimo house designated a nuisance property after police were called 58 times

430 Murray St. one of two addresses slapped with nuisance designation this week

RCMP execute a warrant at a Murray Street residence last month. The property was slapped with a nuisance designation at Nanaimo city council’s meeting Monday, Jan. 16. (Photo submitted)
Trina Hunt’s remains were found in the Hope area on March 29. Her family is offering a $50,000 reward for tips that lead to a charges. (Photo courtesy of IHIT.)

Trina Hunt’s death remains unsolved 2 years later; IHIT renews appeal for public’s help

Murdered woman’s brother says family experiencing ‘never-ending waves of grief, anguish and trauma’

Trina Hunt’s remains were found in the Hope area on March 29. Her family is offering a $50,000 reward for tips that lead to a charges. (Photo courtesy of IHIT.)
There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing into the deaths of Nellie Williams and Fran Shurie on Christmas Eve, 2019. Police are asking for the public’s assistance in solving the crime. This memorial, from 2021, was located near Trunk Road and Canada Avenue where the crime occurred, was a reminder to passers-by. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Double Duncan murder investigation quiet, 3 years later

Fran Shurie and Nellie Williams were killed on Christmas Eve, 2019

There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing into the deaths of Nellie Williams and Fran Shurie on Christmas Eve, 2019. Police are asking for the public’s assistance in solving the crime. This memorial, from 2021, was located near Trunk Road and Canada Avenue where the crime occurred, was a reminder to passers-by. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Photos displayed at a vigil for former Nanaimo outreach worker Amy Watts, whose body was found last year and whose death RCMP are investigating as a homicide. (News Bulletin photo)

Ex-boyfriend charged in case of woman found dead in downtown Nanaimo in 2021

Kyle Gordon Ordway charged with manslaughter in death of Amy Watts

Photos displayed at a vigil for former Nanaimo outreach worker Amy Watts, whose body was found last year and whose death RCMP are investigating as a homicide. (News Bulletin photo)
A drug “super lab” was busted in Abbotsford in January 2022. Three men have now been charged. (BC RCMP photo)

Drug ‘super lab’ in Abbotsford could have produced 27M lethal doses of fentanyl, say police

Three men charged after investigation in Abbotsford and Surrey that began in August 2021

A drug “super lab” was busted in Abbotsford in January 2022. Three men have now been charged. (BC RCMP photo)
A sneaky cat attempted to catch a ride in a patrol car while a VicPD officer was conducting a roadside investigation. (Courtesy VicPD)

Victoria officer finds ‘unauthorized intruder’ in patrol car during traffic stop

Officers were investigating a suspected impaired driver when a cat snuck into one of the cruisers

A sneaky cat attempted to catch a ride in a patrol car while a VicPD officer was conducting a roadside investigation. (Courtesy VicPD)
Shaun Deacon in a photo released Oct. 31, 2022. (BC Corrections handout)

Child sex offender Shaun Deacon back in prison, charged with 2 counts of breach

Police previously issued public warnings about Deacon living in Abbotsford and Metro Vancouver

Shaun Deacon in a photo released Oct. 31, 2022. (BC Corrections handout)
Crime Stoppers in Nanaimo has reorganized to improve the safety of tipsters and now receives information from across the central Island and Gulf Islands. (File photo)

Police and volunteers on the mid Island recognize National Crime Stoppers Month

Nanaimo chapter restructured to receive tips from across the central Island

Crime Stoppers in Nanaimo has reorganized to improve the safety of tipsters and now receives information from across the central Island and Gulf Islands. (File photo)
Dr. Albert de Villiers is currently on trial facing charges of sex crimes against a child. (File photo)

Trial underway for former Interior Health top doc charged with sex crimes against child

Dr. Albert de Villiers is on trial in Grande Prairie, Alta.

Dr. Albert de Villiers is currently on trial facing charges of sex crimes against a child. (File photo)
The Vancouver Police Department says officers and paramedics were shot at with a pellet gun while working near the Carnegie Centre on Jan. 8. (Google Streetview/Screenshot)

Police, paramedics shot with pellet gun on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside

VPD say suspect aimed at them from window of rooming house while they worked below

The Vancouver Police Department says officers and paramedics were shot at with a pellet gun while working near the Carnegie Centre on Jan. 8. (Google Streetview/Screenshot)
Police say three people were found dead inside this Surrey home on Monday (Jan. 9). (Photo: Shane MacKichan)

Homicide investigators called after 3 people found dead in B.C. home

Surrey RCMP say three believed to be members of same family

Police say three people were found dead inside this Surrey home on Monday (Jan. 9). (Photo: Shane MacKichan)
Pastor Edwin Alvarez is charged with six counts of sexual touching and assault against children under the age of 16, New Westminster police announced Jan. 9. (Black Press Media file photo).

B.C. pastor charged with sexually assaulting children at Metro Vancouver church

Pastor Edwin Alvarez arrested following numerous reports from between 2017 and 2021

Pastor Edwin Alvarez is charged with six counts of sexual touching and assault against children under the age of 16, New Westminster police announced Jan. 9. (Black Press Media file photo).
Two arrested after stolen trucks located. (Citizen file photo)

Chase ensues after 2 stolen trucks located near Lake Cowichan

Two suspects arrested

Two arrested after stolen trucks located. (Citizen file photo)
This photo provided by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office shows emergency personnel responding to a vehicle over the side of Highway 1 on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in San Mateo County, Calif. The driver of the car that plunged off a cliff in Northern California, seriously wounding two children and a second adult after the 250-foot drop, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the California Highway Patrol said Tuesday, Jan. 3. (Sgt. Brian Moore/San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

Family of 4 still hospitalized after father drove off cliff

Attempted murder and child abuse arrest expected after man released from a hospital

This photo provided by the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office shows emergency personnel responding to a vehicle over the side of Highway 1 on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in San Mateo County, Calif. The driver of the car that plunged off a cliff in Northern California, seriously wounding two children and a second adult after the 250-foot drop, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and child abuse, the California Highway Patrol said Tuesday, Jan. 3. (Sgt. Brian Moore/San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
Tires on at least 13 vehicles in the Cobble Hill area were slashed in the early morning hours on New Year’s Day. The RCMP are investigating. (Citizen file photo)

Tires slashed on at least 13 vehicles in Cobble Hill on New Year’s Day

RCMP investigating incident

Tires on at least 13 vehicles in the Cobble Hill area were slashed in the early morning hours on New Year’s Day. The RCMP are investigating. (Citizen file photo)
Vancouver police officers arrested a 50-year-old man on Dec. 31, who is suspected of stealing from a South Granville fine art gallery. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Man with 115 convictions charged with stealing from Vancouver art gallery

50-year-old suspected of stealing $40,000 worth of fine art from South Granville gallery

Vancouver police officers arrested a 50-year-old man on Dec. 31, who is suspected of stealing from a South Granville fine art gallery. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Lawyer John Carpay is shown in Calgary on July 10, 2012. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland)

Anti-COVID restriction lawyer arrested after hiring PI to track Manitoba judge

John Carpay is charged with attempting to obstruct justice

Lawyer John Carpay is shown in Calgary on July 10, 2012. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland)
Police have arrested two after a break-and-enter in Youbou on Dec. 23, 2022. (Gazette file)

Police arrest 2 after B&E in Youbou

One suspect taken to hospital for exposure

Police have arrested two after a break-and-enter in Youbou on Dec. 23, 2022. (Gazette file)
James Hanna poses in this undated handout photo. His family says he was excited about his future, but that was stolen by a stray bullet fired from an Edmonton police officer’s gun. The 59-year-old was in his basement suite watching television when he was killed in February. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Susan Bandola

Expert warns of ‘perfect storm’ as the number of police shootings increases in 2022

Police shot 87 people in Canada between Jan. 1 and Nov. 30

James Hanna poses in this undated handout photo. His family says he was excited about his future, but that was stolen by a stray bullet fired from an Edmonton police officer’s gun. The 59-year-old was in his basement suite watching television when he was killed in February. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - Susan Bandola