Several weapons have been seized and a Port Coquitlam man is facing a dozen criminal charges after being arrested for allegedly stealing a vehicle in the Citadel Heights area last week.
Coquitlam RCMP began focusing on the area after a number of property crimes and suspicious activity had been reported, identifying the neighbourhood as a crime hotspot in their weekly CompStat alerts.
"We arrested [an] individual for allegedly stealing a vehicle and committing other criminal offences," said Cpl. Scott Grimmer, a lead with the detachment's prolific target team. "We also seized a number of weapons from him, including an imitation firearm and prohibited knife, commonly known as a gravity knife."
Justin Roach, a 26-year-old PoCo resident is currently facing 12 charges, including:
theft of a motor vehicle;
possession of an imitation firearm;
possession of a prohibited weapon without a license;
possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace;
possession of break-in instruments;
two counts of possession of stolen property;
two counts of failing to comply with a condition of a recognizance;
two counts of failing to comply with a probation order;
and possession of a controlled substance.
Grimer said that the investigation is continuing an more charges are pending.
"This is what we do best," he said. "Targeting and arresting prolific and priority offenders who are dangerous to the community."
