RCMP were able to arrest a truck thief just 20 minutes after a vehicle was reported stolen from the Nanaimo North Town Centre mall parking lot.
The truck’s owner happened to look out into the lot and see his vehicle being driven away around 1 p.m. on March 23, according to an RCMP media release. He immediately called 911 and several officers responded in unmarked vehicles.
Police spotted the stolen, and very recognizable, red pickup truck only eight minutes later, driving down Highway 19A near the Departure Bay intersection.
Officers followed the truck in their unmarked vehicles until it parked in a lot on Larch Street. When the suspect exited the vehicle, police arrested him without incident.
“I think it’s fair to say the suspect was more than a little surprised to find himself surrounded by police and in handcuffs, just 20 minutes after allegedly stealing the vehicle,” said Const. Gary O’Brien.
David McCauley, 47, of no fixed address, faces charges of Possession of Stolen Property over $5000 and Possession of Break in Tools. He appeared in provincial court on March 24 and was remanded until his next court date on April 5 .
