Submerged stolen vehicle leads to discovery of other vehicles

Coquitlam, Information Wanted

2024-04-17 10:18 PDT

File # 2024-8540

Coquitlam RCMP continue the investigation of a submerged stolen vehicle that lead to the discovery of multiple submerged vehicles in the Fraser River.

On Saturday, April 6, 2024 shortly after 12:15 a.m. Coquitlam RCMP attended to Maquabeak Park located at 5 Burbidge Street in Coquitlam after a running vehicle drove into the Fraser River.

See previous media release from April 6, 2024

The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team attended the scene during daylight hours on Sunday, April 6, 2024 and located the submerged vehicle, along with multiple other vehicles. An initial visual search from the divers was only able to determine that no one was in the driver’s seat, due to poor conditions and positioning of the vehicle.

View a larger image - One RCMP Underwater Recovery Team officer is in the water while another diver sits along the shore

RCMP divers from the Underwater Recovery Team located a stolen 2004 Mazda submerged in the Fraser River near three other submerged vehicles, including a school bus, said Media Relations Officer, Corporal Alexa Hodgins. The other vehicles appear to have been at this location for some time. Police have recovered and examined a 2010 stolen black 2000 Honda Civic from this location.

View a larger image - A partially submerged vehicle is being towed out of the Fraser River as two divers look on

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has assumed conduct of the vehicle recovery due to potential environmental concerns. The Canadian Coast Guard dive team will attend the location to search the stolen vehicle from April 6, 2024 and assess the additional vehicles.

This investigation will be a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Ministry of Emergency Management, Canadian Coast Guard, City of Coquitlam, Coquitlam Towing, Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and the RCMP, added Corporal Alexa Hodgins. We will continue to work with our partners, however, should any of the vehicles be linked to a criminal investigation, Coquitlam RCMP will assume conduct of that investigation.

Any media inquiries regarding the removal of the vehicles should be directed to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.

Police are asking anyone with information about any of the submerged vehicles to contact the Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and quote file number 2024-8540.

Released by:

Email: coquitlam_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: coquitlam.rcmp-grc.gc.ca (English only)

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