Mounties say two men are facing multiple charges after a stolen vehicle crashed through the gates of a Richmond, B.C., outlet mall in a brazen break-and-enter attempt. Police were called to the mall shortly after 4 a.m. on Aug. 15 after the vehicle broke through the security gates and crashed into a storefront, according to a news release Thursday from the Richmond RCMP. Investigators say the suspects then entered the business, stole merchandise and fled in the vehicle. Officers located the suspects driving a short distance away and deployed a tire-deflation spike strip to stop the vehicle. “The vehicle continued and collided with two police vehicles before coming to a stop near No. 3 Road and Capstan Way,” the release said. “It is alleged that both suspects attempted to flee on foot but were subsequently arrested without further incident.” Investigators recovered the stolen merchandise from the scene. Mounties say Derek Muirhead and Shahbaz Aulakh have been charged with multiple offences, including break and enter, mischief, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, two counts of assault of a peace officer with a weapon and obstructing a peace officer. Police say both men were wanted on outstanding warrants and remain in custody awaiting bail hearings. Cpl. Melissa Lui says the investigation involved “the co-ordinated efforts of frontline officers and specialized police resources” to stop the suspects and recover the stolen goods. “The actions of responding officers helped ensure the suspects were arrested while minimizing further risk to the public,” Lui said in a statement.
