Suspect arrested after U.S. couple's belongings stolen from B.C. Airbnb
One month after a U.S. couple's belongings were snatched from an Airbnb rental in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, authorities have announced the arrest of a suspect in the theft.
The incident happened on the night of July 3, as Madhuchanda Mandal and her fiancé were unloading their things at a short-term rental in North Vancouver.
Surveillance video Mandal shared on social media shows a man sneaking out the back entrance carrying several bags.
"It was very heartbreaking to be honest," Mandal said. "We almost cancelled our trip and cut it short to come home."
Doing so would have been difficult, however – as the Indiana couple's passports were among the items stolen, along with cash, a laptop, a camera and multiple camera lenses.
On Tuesday, North Vancouver RCMP confirmed that officers arrested a man believed to be responsible for the break-in on July 25.
"We hope this arrest brings the family some type of reassurance that the person responsible will be held accountable," Const. Mansoor Sahak said in a statement.
The suspect has since been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court in October. So far, no charges have been laid.
Mandal said the couple was notified about the arrest on Friday, but told their belongings have not been found.
"I don't have too much hope on recovering the items," she said. "I'm guessing the cash is already spent, and the credit cards are already cancelled."
The couple had only left the back door of their Airbnb unlocked for "a few minutes" when the theft occurred, said Mandal, who also expressed frustration with how authorities responded to the incident.
The victims initially called 911 to report the theft, but were told it was not an emergency situation. According to E-Comm, B.C.’s largest 911 service provider, break-and-enters are considered emergencies “if there is a suspect on scene.”
But Mandala noted they reported the theft minutes after it occurred, and had no idea whether the culprit might return.
“I don’t know if they’re armed, I don’t know if they have a knife or a box-cutter,” Mandal said. “We didn’t feel safe.”
A constable responded that evening but went on vacation the next day, leaving the victims without a point person as they received alerts from their bank that someone was attempting to use their cancelled credit cards at local businesses.
Authorities also did not distribute the surveillance video from the incident. In their news release, North Vancouver RCMP said "several tips" from the public came in after the couple posted the recording on social media.
"It was a very frustrating experience," Mandal said. "It's not bad enough that we wouldn't want to come back to Vancouver – it's a beautiful place – but we'd be more careful."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING James Earl Jones, acclaimed actor and voice of Darth Vader, dies at 93
James Earl Jones, who overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen — eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, 'The Lion King' and Darth Vader — has died. He was 93.
Alberta protesters get 6 1/2-year sentences for roles in Coutts border blockade
Two men have been sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for their roles in the blockade of the Canada-U.S. border crossing at Coutts, Alta.
Quebec village preparing for 370 per cent hike in property taxes
Residents in the small Quebec village of Danford Lake may soon be priced out of their homes, as property valuations and taxes are set to skyrocket.
BREAKING Harvey Weinstein undergoes emergency heart surgery
Former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was rushed to a hospital from a New York City prison on Sunday and underwent heart surgery on Monday, his representatives said.
BREAKING 'Peter Nygard is a sexual predator:' Former fashion mogul sentenced to 11 years in prison
Former Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard has been sentenced to 11 years in prison. The sentence was handed to Nygard, 83, by Ontario Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein in Toronto on Monday. Last November, a jury found Nygard guilty of four counts of sexual assault following a six-week trial.
Former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney to join Liberal Party as special adviser
Former Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney will be joining the Liberal Party as a special adviser. In an official press release on Monday, the party says Carney will serve as the chair of a leader's task force on economic growth.
John and Matthew Gaudreau are mourned by the hockey community, family and friends at their funeral
John and Matthew Gaudreau were remembered as loving brothers and husbands who put family above hockey and everything else at a tearful funeral held Monday, a week and a half after they died when they were struck by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, 'doing what I can to stay cancer free' after finishing chemotherapy
Catherine, Princess of Wales, has said she has completed her chemotherapy and is 'doing what I can to stay cancer free,' as she plans to return gradually to public life in the months ahead.
opinion Princess of Wales, after gruelling chemotherapy, offers words of hope for fellow cancer patients
Royal commentator Afua Hagan says the Princess of Wales' announcement that she's completed her course of preventative chemotherapy marks a significant milestone in her recovery from the illness discovered following abdominal surgery earlier this year, and a massive relief for the Royal Family.