An alert citizen helped avert a theft by calling Terrace RCMP to report a theft in progress at a business on Substation Rd. earlier this week.
At approximately 9 p.m. Dec. 3, an observant member of the public saw people trying to load an ATV onto a trailer attached to a truck by the CN yard on Queensway Dr., said police.
The people seemed to be in a hurry and the truck lights were off. They had their hoodies pulled up and appeared jittery.
The police officer who responded to the call saw two men flee the area towards Motz Rd. and a second officer ran after the thieves.
A 22-year-old man was caught and arrested.
Investigation determined that the thieves had ripped the gate out of its position to Kickstart Motors.
Two ATVs were found abandoned in the nearby area, worth more than $30,000.
"There is nothing a police officer likes better than stopping crime before it happens and catching criminals. Majority of the time we get called after the fact. An alert and engaged public can help us do our job more efficiently and stop crime before it happens by reporting suspicious activity," says Const. Angela Rabut, community policing/media relations Terrace RCMP.
Extensive search efforts that included the assistance of police service dog failed to locate the second man, who is described as wearing a dark jacket with a dark hoodie and may have had a goatee, said police.
Charges of break and enter and commit theft over $5,000 and carrying a concealed weapon are being forwarded to Crown Council.
If you have information about this crime, contact the Terrace RCMP at 250-638-7400 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers by telephone at 1-800-222-TIPS, online at www.terracecrimestoppers.ca or by texting TERRACE plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).
If your information leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.