Two men have been arrested by Richmond RCMP after a police crackdown on car break-ins happening during celebratory events at a local Sikh cultural centre.
For the past couple of months, weddings and events at Richmond’s India Cultural Centre of Canada have been ruined by the rash of thefts from vehicles.
According to gurdwara president Chain Batth, nearly every week — during events that saw up to 1,000 people flood the centre on No. 5 Road — cars were being broken into, and cash and personal items such as phones were being stolen.
After a number of complaints from cultural centre staff, Richmond RCMP launched the crackdown on Saturday that resulted in the arrests.
“(We) find these types of crimes particularly offensive,” said Richmond RCMP’s Sgt. Cam Kowalski in a release.
“People should have the ability to worship or celebrate in the sanctity of their own temple, synagogue or church.”
While some cars were broken into, others had been left unlocked while parked at the centre, so police are reminding the public to lock their doors and not leave valuables or personal identification in their cars.
“I really appreciate what the RCMP is doing, but we have to do our part, too,” Batth said, adding that he’s considering adding security cameras to the parking lot and will also continue to remind people to keep car doors locked.
The identity of the men arrested has not been released as charges have yet to be sworn in court. The men have been released from police custody on a promise to appear in Richmond court June 10.
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