An early morning tip off to police in Nanaimo turned up three suspects with a trunkful of stolen goods.
Police, acting on a tip from an observant neighbour, stopped a car on the 1500 block of Waddington Road shortly after 4 a.m. Sunday. The car contained three men and a collection of items in its trunk that raised the officers' suspicions.
"They saw a Honda generator sticking out of the trunk and also a number of other items, including a computer monitor and a frozen turkey," said Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RMCP spokesman.
Police backtracked to where the car was first spotted and found the fence appeared to have had a car driven through it and a shed with its doors open.
Members talked to the homeowner, who is quadriplegic and on an assisted breathing machine.
"He told police the generator was the only source of backup to his house," O'Brien said.
All three suspects were arrested.
Drake Robert Britt, 18, was held in custody and appeared in Nanaimo provincial court Monday where he was charged with possession of break-in tools, possession of stolen property and breach of prohibition for consuming alcohol.
Shawn Miller, 20, was charged with possession of stolen property, break-in tools and a prohibited weapon – a set of brass knuckles.
Steven William Creighton, 19, was charged with possession of stolen property and break-in tools.
Miller and Creighton were released on bail and will next appear in Nanaimo provincial court Sept. 13.