A 36-year-old Calgary man who allegedly pointed an imitation firearm at a 78-year-old Richmond woman, after breaking into her home in broad daylight, has been charged with six criminal offences.
Richmond RCMP stated late Thursday that Abbas Abbas is facing charges in connection to a two-day crime spree in Richmond and Vancouver.
Abbas is believed to have started the spree in the 8000 block of Williams Road where he entered the woman’s home and threatened her with what police later stated was an imitation firearm. He now faces one count of using the imitation firearm while committing an offence.
Abbas allegedly stole the woman’s car around 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, and dumped the vehicle at a business in the 4200 block of Hazelbridge Way. Abbas then allegedly stole an Acura sedan from an auto dealership in the 4700 block of Garden City Road, according to police.
The Acura was reported stolen at 7 a.m. Wednesday, April 28 and was then seen being driven in an erratic manner in the area of Blundell and No. 4 roads. The driver, believed to be Abbas, allegedly pointed a firearm at other drivers before fleeing.
Richmond RCMP tried to locate the Acura, however it’s believed Abbas had quickly made his way into Vancouver, where he is said to have committed more crimes.
Global News BC reported Abbas allegedly tried to steal a woman’s purse near Downtown Vancouver at about 11:30 a.m. Vancouver police caught up to Abbas in the early afternoon near Kingsgate Mall where he allegedly rammed into a police car with the Acura.
Abbas is reported to have a lengthy criminal record. Richmond RCMP did not indicate any motive behind his behaviour.
Abbas also faces charges of: two counts of break and enter with intent to commit an offence, one count of robbery, one count of assault with a weapon and one count of possessing a weapon for dangerous purposes.
“Richmond RCMP officers, especially Constable Romanko, worked meticulously to gather evidence for the crimes committed in our community. We were unable to identify the suspect publically until formal charges had been laid,” says Cpl. Dennis Hwang.
“We received tremendous assistance from our VPD colleagues and this signifies our on-going partnership with them,” sated Hwang, via email.
