Suspected drug dealers busted Thursday afternoon are getting to keep suspected stolen items, said Prince George police, because possible rightful owners did not properly account for most of the items.
"Investigators located an exceptionally large amount of property believed to have been stolen," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. "Some of these items have been confirmed stolen, but the vast majority cannot be associated to a crime and therefore were not seized. Officers are forced to leave these items behind in the absence of evidence that they are stolen."
The items include large amounts of electronic equipment: more than 20 laptop computers, more than 30 cellular phones, Apple iPods, various video game consoles and cameras, plus a significant number of bicycles and bicycle parts.
Also found at the residence, in the 2600 block of Norwood Street, was a quantity of methamphetamine and cocaine, along with drug trafficking paraphernalia. Police from the Downtown Enforcement Unit and the Crime Reduction Team entered the home with a search warrant.
Inside they found three males and two females who were arrested. Charges are primarily pending against a 34-year-old female. A 12-year-old child was also located.
Investigators said they would be recommending Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Criminal Code charges for drug possession, drug trafficking and possession of stolen property but the latter charges could have been much stronger.
"Prince George RCMP cannot stress enough the importance of people documenting their valuables," Douglass said.
"Record serial numbers, engrave your driver's licence number and take detailed, clear photos of your items. Store the information and photos in a safe place or on a portable memory device. If these steps were taken on the items found in this incident, we are confident that many more charges could have been recommended as part of this investigation."
Douglass also urged victims of property crime to report a theft as soon as it happens, even if you don't think police will ever resolve it, because items do turn up for police that could have been traced back to the proper owner if anyone had filed a complaint.
