Three people from Harrison, including one man previously convicted for stealing from Popkum’s volunteer fire hall, have been formally charged in connection with a crime spree across Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
Lorne James Sims, 45 of Harrison and Christina Stephan, 32, of Popkum were arrested and charged with identity theft, possession of a forged credit card and possession of identity documents. The pair were arrested in August and have since been released pening a court date later this month.
Related: Thief who stole from volunteer Popkum firefighters found guilty
Jered Donovan Sims, 23, of Harrison is at large, and a B.C.-wide warrant has been issued for his arrest for forging or falsifying credit cards, possession of a forged credit card and possession of identity documents. RCMP caution the public not to approach or attempt to apprehend Sims if sighted but to immediately call 911.
He is described as a Caucasian male, 168 centimetres (5’6) tall, 66 kilograms (146 lbs.) with brown eyes and black hair.
Related: ‘Gone are the days of leaving your vehicle and your house unlocked’
Agassiz RCMP charged the three after a lengthy investigation that started in May when they received reports of suspicious activity at an apartment unit in the 500-block of Harrison’s Lillooet Avenue.
A subsequent search by the Agassiz General Investigation Support Team (GIST) led police to evidence connecting the suspects to alleged stolen property.
Credit cards, debit cards, passports, driver’s licenses and IDs associated with reported property thefts from Vancouver and across the Fraser Valley were seized by officers at the scene, along with drugs and paraphernalia.
“The charges are the result of a very demanding police investigation conducted during a spike in property crime experienced this spring,” says Sgt. Darren Rennie of the Agassiz RCMP. “Our officers are dedicated in their efforts to reduce property crime in our community.”
In December, Lorne Sims was convicted for stealing from the Popkum Fire Hall while volunteer firefighters were out on a call back in 2016.
Related: Popkum fire hall hit by thieves while on call
nina.grossman@ahobserver.com
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