Police in Nanaimo want to talk with the witness of a vehicle break in.
The incident happened Dec. 5 in the parking lot of the Real Canadian Superstore in Nanaimo shortly after 2 p.m. when a woman parked her grey 2000 Dodge Caravan and went into the store to do some shopping.
At least $2,000 worth of cigarettes were taken, but the theft was witnessed by another man police are referring to as a Good Samaritan, who left a note on the woman’s vehicle saying her car was broken into.
“There was key evidence put in that note that was used to help identify who the person was,” said Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman. “We need to speak to that person.”
The evidence could lead to an additional charge against Christopher Sharafi, 46, of Langley, who was arrested and charged recently with four counts of mischief under $5,000 and theft under $5,000, two counts of possession of stolen property, and one count each of disguise with intent, possession of break-in instruments, and fail to comply with conditions of recognizance.
Sharafi is suspected of being involved in 28 thefts of cigarettes, valued at more than $100,000, from vehicles in Saanich, Langford, Nanaimo, Burnaby, Abbotsford, Coquitlam and Kamloops.
Anyone with information is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.