Mission RCMP have seized over $500,000 worth of stolen equipment from a rural property in the 35000-block of Hartley Road following a tip from residents during a town hall meeting March 5.
Police visited the property the next day and spotted several containers and trailers scattered throughout the area. Upon closer investigation several pieces of heavy machinery were also located and confirmed stolen.
The property owner was apparently unaware the items were being stored on his land, and with his cooperation the RCMP seized over $500,000 worth of stolen property including three skid steers, a tractor, an excavator, a road grinder, a road sweeper, two utility trailers, a bobcat and a seadoo.
"As you can appreciate, this investigation is very complex as it involves multiple jurisdictions. It will take a bit of time to locate the rightful owners of the property," said Mission RCMP spokeswoman Cpl. Sharon Siluch in a statement.
"The half million dollar seizure of stolen property is a direct result of concerned neighbors in this rural area recording and reporting suspicious activity.
"Not only is the Mission RCMP working very closely with outside agencies in the Lower Mainland to try and identify the machinery so it can be returned to its rightful owners, they have called upon the expertise of the Lower Mainland Forensic Identification Section to gather evidence in an attempt to identify any suspect(s)."
The file remains under investigation and anyone with information on these thefts, or any crime, are urged to contact the Mission RCMP at (604) 826-7161 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Please quote file number 2012-2366.