The 49-year-old Langley resident who jumped the border into Canada and ended up fleeing inside the Toys R Us on Thursday afternoon is facing numerous charges.
Brent Vernon Charpentier was charged with possession of stolen property, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and driving while his licence is suspended.
He was released from custody and his next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 21. He is well known to Langley police.
Shortly after 1 p.m. one man was arrested by American border patrol as he was trying to cross into Canada on a motorcycle, said Langley RCMP. At the same time, a citizen in the Abbotsford/Aldergrove area saw a different motorcycle cross the border, traveling in a ditch near the US-Canada boundary.
RCMP Air One started tracking the bike from the air, following it all the way to Willowbrook Shopping Centre.
"The suspect ditched his motorcycle at Willowbrook mall and ran into the Toys R Us," said Langley RCMP Cpl. Holly Largy. At first, it was believed the man had a backpack with a gun inside.
Police descended on the mall.
"Officers viewed the video surveillance tapes and are able to identify the suspect. At that point we felt he had fled the mall," she said. It's believed he changed his clothing in that time.
Police trailed the suspect to a nearby residence where he got into a van and drove away.
"He pulled over, got out of the vehicle and was arrested without incident," said Largy. The van was surrounded by a heavy police presence and in front of several people in the parking lot of the Dairy Queen at Fraser Highway and 203 Street.
No weapons were found when the man was arrested, she said. Police said the motorcycle left at the mall had been stolen out of Abbotsford and the plates on the bike were stolen out of Surrey.
The suspect's motivation for trying to sneak across the border is unknown.
Langley police didn't say if the two border jumpers are connected.
Charpentier has a lengthy criminal record. The most current conviction came in January 2015. He was sentenced to 30 days jail and one year probation for theft in connection with an April 2014 crime.
Twitter was active with updates on Thursday afternoon, as the incident unfolded.
#Abbotsford Police are searching for two males on motorcycles who ran the border into Canada at around 272 St.
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) October 27, 2016
The first suspect, now in police custody, was reportedly carrying multiple weapons.
UPDATE - US Border Patrol arrested 1 of the males and found several guns on him. 2nd Male fled North on 264 St into #Langley
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) October 27, 2016
The Border Patrol helicopter was able to turn the surveillance of the motorcycle to Air One who followed the suspect to Willowbrook Shopping Centre.
Officers have been provided a description of the male and began searching the mall.
UPDATE - 2nd Suspect ditched his Motorcycle at Willowbrook Mall and ran into the Toys R US. Male has a backpack with a gun inside. #Langley
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) October 27, 2016
According to Scan BC, the man ran into Toys "R" Us and was believed to be armed.
Latest information suggests the suspect is no longer in the mall. Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team has now arrived to assist with search and apprehension of the second male.
UPDATE - #Langley #RCMP confirm via Mall Surveillance that the suspect has fled the mall on foot after changing his clothes.
— ScanBC (@ScanBC) October 27, 2016
