Police in the Cowichan Valley have arrested two individuals suspected in a number of recent car thefts in the Harbour City.
On Tuesday, North Cowichan RCMP arrested Jesse James Biley and Courtney Lee Therrien in Duncan after they were found in possession of several stolen vehicles.
Biley, 22, is facing a number of charges including possession of stolen property and theft of motor vehicles. Seven of the charges are related to cases in Nanaimo.
Therrien, also 22, has been charged with seven counts of possession of stolen property, which are all related to open cases in Nanaimo.
Biley and Therrien were scheduled to make an appearance in provincial court in Duncan on Friday (Aug. 22).
In the past five weeks the Harbour City has seen an unusually high number of vehicle thefts. Since July 15 there have been 39 vehicles reported stolen in Nanaimo.
"With the arrest of these two individuals, the incidence of vehicle thefts should normalize. There are other individuals though, who are active in our community stealing motor vehicles,” said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, in a press release. “Car and truck owners should continue to remain vigilant and ensure their vehicles are locked at all times, and valuables removed from sight.”
Police suspect Biley and Therrien in a number of open investigations in Nanaimo and the Lower Mainland and the duo could face more charges.