SURREY — Surrey Mounties have busted a father and son for a series of property crimes.
Shane Takakenew Sr., age 46, has been charged with seven counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000 and four counts of dealing with identity documents.
Shane Takakenew Jr., age 20, has been charged with one count of break-and-enter, eight counts of attempted break-and-enter, nine counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000 and four counts of dealing with identity documents.
Both are in custody and a third person, Fabiola Diaz, 25, has been released on bail. She has been charged with three counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000.
Police have released their mugshots hoping that "potential" witnesses will come forward.
They are accused of committing a series of crimes in Fraser Heights in December and January.
Last fall, the Surrey RCMP's property crime target team (PCTT) and crime analysts noticed an increase if residential break-ins in Surrey, with 24 happening between October and December. They launched an investigation which resulted in a "major development" on Jan. 27 with the arrest of Takakenew Jr. for three break-ins that happened the previous night near his residence.
Corporal Scotty Schumann said a search warrant executed at junior's home turned up "a large quantity of property" which police allege were linked to 10 break-ins in Surrey and elsewhere in the Lower Mainland. Senior and Diaz "were also implicated in allegedly possessing some of that stolen property."
Surrey RCMP Inspector Shawna Baber said police expect the arrests "will almost certainly have an immediate impact on crime rates.
"This is a good opportunity to remind people to make sure their ground level doors and windows are secure at all times to lessen the chance of being targeted by thieves," Baher said.
Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
tom.zytaruk@thenownewspaper.com