A Prince George firefighter is facing nine theft-related charges in relation to stolen property police have valued at more than $200,000.
Jeremy Matthew Kostyshyn, 31, is facing six counts of possession of property obtained by crime valued at over $5,000 and three counts of trafficking in property obtained by crime worth over $5,000. The charges were approved by the provincial Crown counsel's office on Wednesday and made public on Thursday.
When news of the investigation was first announced in May, the city suspended a firefighter without pay and launched an internal review. The name of the person suspended has not been released.
Police began their theft investigation in April after receiving information about a stolen jet boat and trailer located on a property on Bench Drive. Police subsequently searched properties on Christopher Drive, north of the city, and on Jutland Road in Prince George and recovered more stolen goods including another jet boat, a skid steer tractor and a mini excavator.
Some of the stolen property recovered was from Fort St. John and police believe it is part of a larger theft ring operating in B.C. and northern Alberta.
Police are continuing their investigation into a 37-year-old Prince George man who was arrested on May 1 in relation to the same theft allegations. Charges have to be approved yet against that suspect.
Kostyshyn is due to appear in court in July 10.
