Mission RCMP asks public for help after burglary and gun theft

Mounties in Mission, B.C., are asking the public for help investigating a burglary in which more than a dozen firearms were stolen.

The incident happened on November 14, but police did not make any public statements about it until Friday, when they shared photos of a suspicious vehicle and asked the public to share information about sightings of it.

According to Mission RCMP, “a group of perpetrators” broke into a home on the north side of Sylvester Road in the city’s Hatzic neighborhood around 2 a.m.

Police said the homeowners were away at the time.

The suspects “forced entry to multiple locations on the property,” police said, adding that they stole “a large gun safe,” more than a dozen weapons and “a quantity of jewelry.” According to police, both rifles and pistols were among the stolen weapons.

“The perpetrators were well prepared for the burglary and wore balaclavas and gloves,” the police said in their press release on Friday.

Investigators have seized a white 2018 Honda Odyssey minivan that they believe was involved in the theft the same day it occurred.

Search warrants executed on both the van and a property in the Silverdale area did not result in the recovery of the stolen weapons or jewelry, police said.

Mounties are asking the public for any information that could help them with their investigation, but said they were specifically looking for a few details.

Investigators want to hear about any sightings of the minivan in Mission, Silverdale or east Maple Ridge that occurred between Nov. 9 and Nov. 14, especially if the vehicle was parked in a lot and not normally seen in the area.

They are also seeking details of suspicious activity in “the rural areas of Mission of Silverdale” that occurred between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Nov. 14 and involved one or more vehicles.

Police would also like to hear from anyone who finds a discarded gun safe nearly five feet tall, and from anyone who encounters people trying to sell firearms or jewelry under suspicious circumstances.

“The case remains actively investigated, although no arrests or charges have been made to date,” police said in their press release.

“Anyone with information should call Mission RCMP at 604-826-7161.”