By Daryl Major

RCMP say surveillance system the key to quick Qualicum arrest

Apr 26, 2017 | 11:43 AM

QUALICUM BEACH — Investing in a surveillance system paid off for an Oceanside business.

RCMP said thanks to a security camera inside a store in the shopping complex at the intersection of Highway 4 and Highway 4A, they were able to arrest their suspect at her Qualicum Beach home within 24 hours.

She’s accused of breaking into the store at roughly 1:20 a.m. on Monday, April 24 and stealing a few small items before fleeing.

“The beauty is they had really nice surveillance footage for local officers when they showed up,” Cpl. Jesse Foreman said. “It’s because of that surveillance footage an arrest was made quickly and it’s a positive story for business owners.” 

Though the alarm sounded the this incident, Foreman said the police weren’t notified until hours later and their investigation would have been significantly delayed if it weren’t for the footage. 

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“It can sometimes be night and day in terms of an investigation,” he said. 

Foreman said a good quality surveillance security system can be bought for roughly $500. 

“Even when I started policing 13 years ago, often times the surveillance footage was grainy or hard to decipher. Nowadays you get some really clear, amazing photos of these people. It really has helped.”

The unidentified woman was released on conditions and is scheduled to appear in the Provincial Court in Nanaimo on May 23.

daryl.major@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @5minmajor