A routine patrol by the Mission RCMP’s Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) last week escalated into a significant bust, netting three arrests and serving as a stark reminder for anyone selling a vehicle.
The incident began on the afternoon of September 9. Officers in unmarked vehicles were conducting proactive patrols when a black Dodge Journey in a mall parking lot on London Avenue caught their attention. An alert officer recognized the license plate, but not on its current vehicle; it was previously registered to a different car owned by a known offender.
The plainclothes team discreetly followed the SUV until it parked along 1st Avenue. With the vehicle stationary and the risk of a dangerous flight eliminated, the team moved in to conduct a traffic stop. Upon investigation, they discovered all four occupants were known to police.
The driver, a 29-year-old Mission man, was arrested for driving while prohibited Canada-wide and breaching his probation. A 26-year-old female passenger was taken into custody for violating her Conditional Sentence Order by being outside the conditions of her house arrest. A 27-year-old man from Chilliwack was arrested for two counts of breaching probation, one of which involved the possession of identification documents in other people’s names.
A fourth passenger, while not arrested on new charges, was found to have an outstanding DNA order stemming from a 2023 conviction for aggravated assault in Surrey.
The arrests highlight the strategic value of the covert CRU team. Corporal Jason Boon, who oversees the unit, explained the operational advantage.
“Whereas General Duty officers are usually very busy responding to calls and carrying out investigations, our team has more flexibility to proactively seek out offenders and prevent future crimes,” said Cpl. Boon. “Operating covertly also helps us to increase safety for both the public and our officers. There’s always a chance that an offender will drive dangerously to try to get away if a marked police car signals them to pull over.”
The investigation took an unexpected turn when officers followed up with the registered owner of the Dodge Journey. She revealed she had sold the vehicle to the arrested female passenger just that morning. The transaction, however, was fraught with risk.
The seller explained she had accepted payment and signed the transfer form but had not ensured the paperwork was officially processed with ICBC. This left the vehicle legally registered in her name, potentially making her liable for any collisions or criminal activity involving the car she no longer owned.
The Mission RCMP used this incident to issue a public warning to vehicle sellers. Police strongly recommend that when selling a vehicle, the seller should accompany the buyer to an ICBC Autoplan broker. This ensures the registration is transferred out of the seller’s name immediately, and the seller obtains a copy of the completed transfer paperwork for their records.
Failing to do so, as last week’s events demonstrated, can lead to far more than a seller ever bargained for.
