Man arrested after stealing laptops and a safe from BC Firefighters Burn Fund office

Jan 18 2017, 8:41 am

One man has been arrested after breaking into the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund office and stealing laptops and a safe on January 12.

The arrest came after investigators seized office surveillance video that showed a suspect who was recognized from previous break-ins, as well as a stolen Mercedes leaving the area after the break-in.

Officers located the suspect driving the Mercedes two days after the incident, and with the assistance of a VPD Canine Unit, were able to arrest him when he parked it in Richmond. Various pieces of the stolen property were recovered as well.

And for the suspect, 35-year-old Vancouver resident Matthew Robert Barber, the incident is the latest in a string of break-and-enters that began in late December 2016.

Investigators looked into other crimes in the area, and based on the information collected, they believed one person was responsible for several break-ins.

All told, Barber is facing 10 charges related to alleged break-ins at four Vancouver businesses.

The offences include:

  • Four counts of break and enter,
  • Three counts of possession of property obtained by crime,
  • Possession of property obtained by crime – vehicle,
  • Possession of break-in instruments and mischief.

Barber was scheduled to appear in Provincial Court Tuesday morning.

Detectives continue to look at potential links between these offences, and other thefts in the city.

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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