LANTZVILLEWhen police responded to a reported break in at a liquor outlet recently, they found the getaway car had made a premature escape, leaving the main suspect behind.
RCMP Constable Gary O’Brien reported the incident took place at the Lantzville Beer and Wine store at 7197 Lantzville Road.
He said police arrived within minutes of the alarm sounding and learned from a witness a person wearing a hoodie was seen getting out of a waiting car before walking towards the store seconds before the alarm went off.
The witness said the waiting vehicle left the scene before the suspect could return.
Thanks to an accurate description of the vehicle, police were able to track it down and two males from Parksville and Qualicum Beach, and one female from Nanaimo, all aged 17, were arrested and taken to the Nanaimo detachment for questioning.
The trio were later released without charges, but a warrant has been requested for the 17-year-old Parksville teen believed responsible for the break and enter. In all, six bottles of liquor and at least 40 packs of cigarettes were taken.
— Neil Horner