One man is in custody following a break and enter and recovery of a stolen vehicle yesterday morning.
During the early morning hours on Wednesday, police received reports of three commercial break and enters in Prince George. Two were on Continental Way in the BCR Industrial Site and another was on the 1400 block of 10th Avenue. All three businesses had their glass door smashed and cash boxes targeted.
At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, the Prince George RCMP received a report of a stolen 2006 Ford F350 pickup from a business lot on the 700 block of Second Avenue in Prince George. The vehicle had been stolen sometime overnight and is believed to have been involved in the above commercial break and enters.
At approximately 1:20 a.m. on Thursday, members of the Prince George RCMP’s Street Crew Unit came upon a break and enter in progress at a commercial property on Quinn Street. The adult male suspect fled the area in the stolen truck. Due to the high rate of speed and aggressive manner in which the vehicle was being driven, officers did not pursue in the interest of public safety.
A few minutes later, members of the Street Crew Unit located the suspect fleeing from the stolen vehicle behind a commercial property on 15th Avenue. The man was arrested and taken into custody with the assistance of police service dog Jak.
Clinton Jay Baraniuk, 30, of Prince George has been charged with break, enter, and commit mischief, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, resisting arrest, and mischief under $5,000.
Baraniuk made his first appearance in court on Thursday and was remanded in custody until his next court date scheduled for Wednesday August 21.
The Prince George RCMP are aware of the similarities between this break and enter and others committed recently. Multiple cash boxes believed to be from previous break and enters were located in the stolen truck. Those investigations are continuing.
If you have any information about these criminal offences, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-8477 or online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca (English only). You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property, you could be eligible for a cash reward.