16-year-old arrested after 'cat-and-mouse' pursuit by Richmond police

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A 16-year-old from Surrey was arrested yesterday after breaking into a Richmond home and then leading police in a game of “cat and mouse.”

According to Richmond RCMP, the incident began shortly after noon, when police responded to a 911 call about a break-and-enter in progress at a residence in the 3000 block of Pleasant Street.

Police said the homeowner had returned home after being notified that his home security system had been triggered and observed two suspects climbing out of a ground floor window and fleeing on foot. He then ran after the suspects while also managing to contact police and alert them to the situation.

Police officers quickly surrounded the area in question, in an effort to “flush out” the suspects. The Integrated Police Dog Services (IPDS) was also activated and assisted in tracking the suspects.

“One of the suspects led police on a complex chase threading 6th Avenue and Georgia Street,” said Richmond RCMP CPL. Dennis Hwang.

However, “the cat-and-mouse game of-hide-and seek came to an abrupt end at the dyke where the suspect was ultimately arrested.”

Police also recovered a large amount of cash including foreign currency at the scene, as well as a change of clothing.

The Surrey teen was arrested without incident, but police say a second suspect is still at large.

He is described as a dark-skinned male, possibly in his late teens or early 20s, with a slim build, short afro, wearing a blue sweater, and khaki pants.

“A very concerted effort from the officers of Charlie Watch and the Integrated Police Dog Services culminated in this arrest,” said Hwang. “We had some help from the public as well, which is tremendous and much appreciated.”

Hwang said at this point, investigators are trying to determine “whether any other local break-ins can be connected to our suspect and this search will be expanded to other municipalities outside of Richmond.”

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