Richmond RCMP say a targeted enforcement operation aimed at retail theft led to 16 arrests earlier this month, as police continue efforts to address repeat shoplifting and organized theft in the city. The arrests were made during a Project Boost and Bust operation carried out by frontline officers on December 13. The initiative is supported through the Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program and focuses on high-theft retail locations across Richmond. Police say most of the individuals arrested do not live in Richmond, reinforcing concerns that retail theft in the city is frequently d

Sooke RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance as they investigate an alleged counterfeit currency transaction at a local gas station earlier this month. Police say two men attended the Chevron gas station at 6610 Sooke Rd. on December 20 shortly after 6:00 p.m., where a counterfeit $100 bill was allegedly used during a transaction. The incident was reported to police two days later, on December 22. The first suspect is described as a Caucasian man between 20 and 30 years old, with brown hair and a beard. At the time, he was wearing a black North Face jacket. The second suspect is also de

The upcoming leadership race for the Conservative Party of B.C. will offer members a chance to present a new vision and rebuild unity after weeks of public turmoil, according to interim leader Trevor Halford. He says the party is focused on moving forward following a rare and highly visible split within its caucus earlier this month. Halford was appointed interim leader on Dec. 3 after the party board removed John Rustad, citing a loss of confidence and describing him as professionally incapacitated. The decision followed months of internal disputes that Conservative MLAs said had hurt fundrai

Nearly six years after the body of 24-year-old Edi Bogere was found on a vacant forested property in Maple Ridge, homicide investigators say charges have now been approved in the case. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirms that a 31-year-old Port Coquitlam man has been charged in connection with Bogere’s death, which was first deemed suspicious in January 2020 after Ridge Meadows RCMP responded to the scene and requested IHIT assistance. Investigators believe Bogere was last seen leaving his home in Coquitlam on the evening of December 27, 2019. His body was discovered two week

Vancouver Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of an elderly pedestrian in East Vancouver early Tuesday morning. Officers say the collision occurred shortly after 6:30 a.m. on Rupert Street near Euclid Avenue. Police and BC Emergency Health Services responded to reports that an 81-year-old woman had been struck by a vehicle. The driver did not remain at the scene and was last seen travelling northbound on Rupert Street. The woman died at the scene before she could be taken to hospital. Investigators believe the vehicle involved is a dark grey Volkswagen Golf, like

Police in Grand Forks are investigating the cause of a fire that damaged several units at a local motel late Sunday evening. The incident occurred at Johnny’s Motel along Highway 3 and prompted a response from emergency crews shortly after 8:30 p.m. According to the RCMP, officers were called to assist the Grand Forks Fire Service after a vehicle caught fire in the motel’s carport area. Flames then spread to the building, affecting multiple units before being brought under control. No injuries were reported. Staff Sergeant Kris Clark of the BC RCMP said investigators are continuing to exam

Police in Merritt are investigating a suspicious death after a woman was found with fatal injuries over the weekend, prompting the involvement of the RCMP’s Major Crime Unit. Mounties say officers were called on December 20 to assist BC Emergency Health Services in the 2000-block of Nicola Avenue after reports of a woman in medical distress. The woman, a Merritt resident in her 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene. RCMP have confirmed the circumstances surrounding the death are considered suspicious, and the Southeast District Major Crime Unit has taken over conduct of the investigation. Po

Alert Bay RCMP say they have prevented a fraud scheme that targeted the Namgis First Nation, protecting more than $400,000 intended for a new wellness and treatment centre on northern Vancouver Island. The case came to light on May 13, when the First Nation reported that $406,000 earmarked for contractors had been redirected to a fraudulent bank account via a scam email. Authorities say early intervention was key in limiting the financial loss. Collaboration with law enforcement in Eastern Canada led to a freeze on the bank account, which police allege was operated by an organized crime group.

One person has died following a serious multi-vehicle collision on Highway 1 in Surrey that forced a full closure of the westbound lanes during the Monday morning commute. BC Highway Patrol says the investigation is ongoing and officers are asking the public for additional witnesses and dash camera footage. Police say the first 911 call came shortly after 7:15 a.m. after three vehicles collided on westbound Highway 1 near the 176th Street exit. Investigators believe one vehicle crossed over from the eastbound lanes, resulting in a head-on crash. Corporal Michael McLaughlin with BC Highway Patr