Search for two suspects continues after ‘brazen and violent’ Lower Mainland ‘crime spree’

Police are still looking for two suspects connected with the armed robbery in Port Coquitlam Tuesday that snarled traffic from Burnaby to Surrey and beyond.

According to the RCMP, two other people were arrested hours in. However, no charges have yet been laid.

“This is a significant investigation, multiple crime scenes, multiple avenues of investigation, and it will be some time while we continue with our investigation,” explained Coquitlam RCMP Insp. Darren Carr Wednesday.

“What I can say is that we are communicating with other agencies to determine if or what other offences they may have been engaged in, and that’s certainly part of our investigation.”

Related article: Police, suspects exchange gunfire in Lower Mainland ‘crime spree’

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The “crime spree,” described by Carr as “extremely brazen and violent,” began at a car dealership in the area of Lougheed Highway and Dominion Avenue around 3:30 p.m.

The suspects and police are said to have shot at each other as a high-speed pursuit unfolded. Shots were fired outside the dealership, and then “onto the roadway.” No officers were hurt in the exchange, though police say it’s unclear if any of the suspects were injured.

“Multiple victims at the car dealership were injured during the armed robbery. Luckily, none of the victims suffered any gunshot wounds or seriously, life-threatening injuries,” explained Corp. Alexa Hodgins.

She says the suspects then left the scene in a stolen vehicle, crashing it on Highway 1 near the King Edward overpass. The suspects then tried to run, with police arresting one man before he could get away.

A second suspect is said to have then carjacked a nearby vehicle, driving to Surrey where they were eventually taken into custody.

Hodgins says the carjacked victim “suffered minor injuries.”

Carr admits it’s always risky for officers to shoot at suspects when they are in a heavily populated area.

“Our members conduct a constant risk assessment in terms of the situation that they encounter, and their action are always measured and appropriate to the circumstances, ultimately, from the perspective of protecting the public and not harming the public,” he explained.

He says the suspects were masked at the time. Police are working to provide a better description of the two remaining suspects who have yet to be arrested.

“As far as we know at this point, the two individuals that are not in custody, they were part of a collective, highly violent event and they’re still out in the community, they’re not in custody. So, certainly, we’re concerned that they’re out,” Carr said of the suspects who remain at large. 

The hours-long ordeal snarled traffic through multiple communities and forced several SkyTrain stations and bus stops to close during the evening rush. Hodgins says many of the decisions were made as police were “actively seeking the suspects.”

“This was done as there was immediate risk at that time to public safety and we wanted to ensure that we could locate any suspects immediately,” she added.

“This was a very dynamic investigation that occurred in a short period of time. It required additional assistance from neighbouring jurisdictions, as well as partner agencies in both the RCMP, public transit, and municipal police forces.”

Carr notes it was a “highly mobile event,” adding the evolving situation created a number of “challenges and complexities” for officers.

Anyone with information, including witnesses from any of the scenes and who may have video or images of the incidents, to come forward. You can reach the Coquitlam RCMP at 604.945.1550, and quote file number 2022-30931.

-With files from Greg Bowman