Two suspects have been charged in the break and enter incident on Wednesday (July 17) which resulted in Highway 97 being closed.
Prince George RCMP says the vehicle that the two suspects were in was reported stolen to Quesnel RCMP on July 11.
After being arrested on Highway 97, firearms were found at the scene and seized.
Cpl. Craig Douglass says the BC Prosecution Service has approved charges against 41-year-old Jamie Hal Hammerstrom from Hixon and 33-year-old John Robert Craig from Dawson Creek.
The two suspects have been charged with the following offenses:
- Break and enter to steal a firearm
- Disguise with intent to commit an indictable offense
- Unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle (two counts)
- Possession of a firearm without a licence
Douglass adds Hammerstrom has also been charged with the following offenses:
- Possession of a property obtained by crime under $5,000
- Possession of a firearm or ammunition while prohibited (three counts)
- Possession of a controlled substance
Both suspects were in court on July 18 and will remain in police custody until their next appearance on July 24.
This isn't the first time the home on Mountainview Road has been targeted this year.
Douglass says Prince George RCMP were notified on May 9 of a break-in at the home. Three firearms and extensive lists of other items were stolen while a truck was also taken.
The truck was later found in Vernon and a 27-year-old man from Prince George was arrested. Charges, in that case, have not yet been approved while the investigation is ongoing.
On June 27, another break-in occurred at the home but nothing was stolen.
Police are also urging residents to take the following steps to secure their property:
- Record serial numbers or engrave your driver's licence number on valuables
- Take pictures of property and store the files on a disk
- Report suspicious activity at all hours of the day
- Get to know your neighbours and keep an eye on their property
- Use security systems, cameras and other deterrents
- Keep your doors locked, even if you are in the back yard
- Lock you sheds and out building and secure property that you store inside
- Close and lock your windows each time you leave your home, even in hot weather
- Register your bicycles on the '529 Garage' online program
- Lock your vehicle doors and use an anti-theft device
- When possible, do not leave valuables in your vehicle. If you must, leave them out of sight
- Never leave your wallet, purse, identification or keys in a vehicle
