Destroyed police bike and stolen vehicle lead to arrest in Richmond

A Richmond man has been arrested in connection to a series of theft and property related offences.

Jason Edward Keyes, 30, has been charged with several offences including two counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000 and two counts of break and enter.

Keyes was involved in two incidents that led to his arrest.

On April 21, the Richmond Bike Unit identified Keyes as he was driving a stolen blue 2013 Ford Escape in the 7000 block of Saba Road.

In order to escape the officers, Keyes reversed over one of the patrol bicycles and fled. The officers on the scene were unharmed but there was damage to one of their bikes, which was crushed and dragged for over a block.

“This incident could have caused serious or life-threatening injuries to one or more of our officers, not to mention innocent bystanders. This coupled with the damage to police property while fleeing, heightened our focus and purpose,” said Corporal Simon Lee of the Richmond RCMP Property Crime Unit in a statement.

On May 11, police spotted Keyes again. This time he was driving a 2015 white Toyota Camry in an area near Elmbridge Way and Minoru Boulevard.

Several officers from the Richmond Property Crime Unit arrested Keyes without any incident.

The stolen car was recovered and a subsequent search located burglary tools, stolen mail, various stolen garage door opener remotes, drug and drug paraphernalia, and identification documents.

Keyes appeared in court on Friday, May 19, and will remain in custody until his next appearance court date set for later this month.