A 25-year-old Parksville man, a suspect in a string of recent thefts from vehicles, was remanded in Nanaimo Provincial Court Monday and will make his next court appearance on Sept. 8.
The man was arrested Saturday afternoon outside Rathtrevor Provincial Park in connection to a rash of theft from vehicles in the past few weeks, including the theft of a passport and a substantial amount of foreign currency including 800 British pounds and 400 Israeli shekels.
According to a news release issued by Oceanside RCMP, shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday the suspect was arrested without incident. Police say a search revealed the man was allegedly in possession of several stolen items linked to recent thefts from vehicles in Rathtrevor Park.
Police said the passport and driver's licence belonging to tourists were recovered and returned, along with some foreign cash.
"We are very pleased this suspect was apprehended and now will be held to account for his actions," said Oceanside RCMP Cpl. Jesse Foreman in a release. "His (alleged) crime spree ruined the vacation of many who travelled to our community." Police say they believe the suspect is responsible for the string of recent thefts and Oceanside RCMP recommended 12 charges against the suspect ranging from several counts of possession of stolen property, theft under $5,000 and possession of break in instruments. The suspect made his first court appearance Monday, where he was remanded.