Charges sworn after Castlegar RCMP execute search warrant as part of residential break-and-enter investigation
By Castlegar Source
On Aug.16, at 8:31 p.m., Castlegar RCMP responded to a report of a residential break and enter to a Lynnwood Crescent home where the suspect or suspects allegedly stole tools, jewellery and sporting goods.
In order to advance its criminal investigation, Castlegar RCMP executed a search warrant on Aug. 17 to a residence located in the 600-block of 11th Street in Castlegar. During the execution of the search warrant, four occupants were located and arrested inside the residence.
A search of the residence yielded property police believed to have been stolen from the Aug.-16 break-in, as well as other property believed to have been stolen from other Castlegar residences in the last few weeks.
A 41-year-old, Erik Larsen of Castlegar, has been formally charged with break and enter to a dwelling house and four counts of possession of stolen property in connection to the Aug-16 break-in.
The BC Prosecution Service approved additional charges of break-and-enter and theft under $5,000 in connection to a July 20, 2020 incident, where Larsen allegedly broke into the garage of a 7th Avenue home and allegedly stole property.
Larsen was remanded into custody by the courts to appear next by video in Castlegar Court on August 26, 2020.
A 69-year-old Castlegar woman and a 49-year-old Trail man also face potential charges. Both were released from police custody on strict conditions, they are expected to make their first appearance in court on Nov. 18, 2020.
The fourth individual taken into custody during the warrant execution was later released without charge.
Castlegar RCMP is in the process of identifying the lawful owners of the seized property, which includes a grey road bicycle, a kayak, tools and jewellery. If anyone had property stolen recently they are asked to contact the Castlegar RCMP who hopes to be able to return the stolen property back to its lawful owners.
