Chronic offender Hudson David Klassen, 27, is in more legal hot water for an alleged break-in at a Parksville business. Police say the company's high quality security system helped track the offender down. (Facebook)

By Ian Holmes

enhanced security

Police praise security system at Parksville business for catching criminal in the act

Jan 22, 2020 | 11:38 PM

PARKSVILLE — A prolific criminal was no match for an advanced security surveillance system at a Parksville industrial business.

Hudson David Klassen, 27, was charged with break and enter for allegedly busting into a Springhill Rd. business on Jan. 21 at 2:30 a.m. and stealing thousands of dollars worth of valuables.

Oceanside Mounties said Klassen was arrested after attempting to ride a bike away from the scene.

Cpl. Jesse Foreman said the company’s security system had an off-site live video feed, which was “integral” for a rapid police response.

“Our dispatch was able to say that somebody is actually watching a suspect inside that had broken into their business,” Foreman told NanaimoNewsNOW. “Our response level is going to be lights and sirens, get there as fast as we can, because we know this crime is unfolding.”

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Foreman said it’s alleged Klassen stole two chainsaws and a large collection of tools which were returned to the business.

Foreman said while false alarms are common, police respond in some fashion to all alarms at dwellings in their jurisdiction. He said crimes committed in buildings outfitted with lower quality security systems often results in more challenging investigations.

“Sometimes those (cases) can go cold, we don’t find the suspect, or the surveillance footage is not quite up to par.”

Klassen remains in custody and has a bail hearing slated for Tuesday, Jan 28 at provincial court in Nanaimo.

Klassen is no stranger to law enforcement on the mid island.

The chronic offender with drug addictions issues spent eight months in jail in 2019 after pleading guilty to several primarily property related crimes in the Parksville-Errington area.

Klassen told a Judge in Nanaimo last Sept. he needed to get sober to “turn my life around.”

His lengthy criminal record includes a 2012 conviction for a disturbing attack on a woman in Nanaimo at an Uplands Dr. apartment unit. RCMP said at the time the wrong address was targeted during the violent home invasion.

Klassen was sentenced to nearly two years in jail for the crime.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes