Four alleged car thieves have made the list of Surrey RCMP's most wanted.
Surrey Mounties released the names and photos of the four, who are wanted for various reasons by police.
They include:
1. Matthew Sidney Soper, 29, wanted for breach of probation, possession of stolen property over $5,000, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, driving while prohibited and two counts of identity theft.
2. Alexander Rene Jelasco, 18, who is wanted for two counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000, possession of break-and-enter instruments, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes and breach of undertaking.
3. Richard James Mantler, 44, who is wanted for two counts of breach of undertaking, breach of probation and assault.
4. Zak David Haight, 28, is wanted for obstructing a police officer, driving while prohibited and driving while suspended.
April is Auto Crime Enforcement Month and, while auto crime continues to be a problem across the Lower Mainland, Surrey RCMP has a team dedicated to identifying, tracking, and incarcerating the city’s most prolific auto crime offenders.
Since January 2015, the Surrey RCMP’s Auto Crime Target Team (ACTT) has helped arrest more than 75 people for auto theft and auto theft-related crimes with over 240 charges being laid. Police say the key to the team’s operation is that most crooks don’t know they’re being watched until it’s too late.
“Most people think our only line of defence against auto crime is the Bait Car Program,” said ACTT Cpl. Mike Spencer, who has worked in the auto theft field for over 10 years. “While we do utilize these deterrents from time to time, there are a multitude of other overt and covert techniques we use to gather intelligence and conduct our enforcement efforts.”
One of the less commonly known tips police recommend is scoring your insurance sticker (“val tag”) on your licence plate with a razor blade so it cannot be easily peeled off and transferred to another vehicle. For more tips on preventing auto crime visit our website.
If you have any information about the individuals on the RCMP most wanted list, please contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or if you wish to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or go to www.solvecrime.ca