Oceanside RCMP responded to a trio of early morning break and enters in French Creek on Thursday, leading to the arrest of a man well known to them. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

repeat offender

Quick arrest following trio of French Creek break-ins

May 22, 2025 | 4:28 PM

PARKSVILLE — Security camera footage helped lead to a quick arrest of a man well-known to local Mounties, after a rash of break and enters.

Oceanside RCMP responded to a trio of calls along Riley Rd., just north of Oceanside Place, in French Creek during the early morning hours of Thursday, May 22.

Sgt. Shane Worth said one call came in at around 1 a.m. while people inside were sleeping.

“The suspect tried to enter through a sliding glass door. Fortunately, there was a piece of wood in the sliding glass door which prevented the suspect from entering. Multiple officers attended the scene and confirmed no entry was gained, however, it’s still frightening for the homeowner.”

No suspect was found on scene, however police were called back to the same area around 7 a.m. for similar reports involving a second property along Riley Rd.

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No-one was home at the time of the break-in and the suspect had left before police arrived.

“Officers were conducting neighbourhood inquiries to further the investigation and unfortunately determined a third property on the same street had a shed broken into it and an attempt was made to break into the unoccupied residence also on the property.”

Worth said it’s believed all three incidents are connected given their proximity in both location and time.

He added officers were able to use security camera footage from one of the homes, and immediately recognized a 35-year-old Parksville man well known to police.

“Once we received images from the video surveillance, an officer on patrol came across the suspect on the Island Hwy. [near Rushton Ln.] just shortly after 10 a.m., identified similar clothing that the person was wearing on the video surveillance that they still had on and quickly arrested him.”

The man remains in custody and will appear in court on Friday, May 23.

Worth said they’re still working with the victims in recovering a number of items taken.

“We also haven’t recovered a jacket that the suspect was wearing, which was a blue Adidas jacket with white stripes on the sleeves. Investigators believe that the items may have been dropped or stashed in the area by the suspect.”

Missing items include a red motocross helmet, a pink bag, a Nintendo Switch console, watches, and a wooden frame air soft rifle.

Anyone who spots these items in the area between Riley Rd. and Rushton Ln. is asked to contact Oceanside RCMP at 250 248 6111.

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