C6

JEFF DUCHARME
TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL

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SAINT JOHN - Police know that stolen items can end up in pawn shops, but selling them online in virtual pawn shops is the latest way thieves profit from what they steal.

The stolen goods from a number of break and enters in southern New Brunswick have been found by police for sale on an online classified site.

Insp. Darrell Scribner of the Saint John Police Force said stolen items are increasingly popping up for sale on such online classified sites.

"Are some of these places virtual pawn shops? I believe some of them could be developing into that or they are that," Scribner said. "You need to use caution when you're buying anything from any of those sites."

Police, Scribner said, are keeping a close eye on such websites as they gain popularity.

"It's an area that is developing for us because the Internet is developing."

He said when he joined the police force, officers used to regularly visit area pawn shops looking for stolen goods.

"Now we're going to the pawn shop that's in everybody's home to look and see what could be there and see what connection it could have to a crime."

After an operation that involved the RCMP, Kennebecasis Valley and city police, two people were charged and more arrests are expected. On Friday night, a suspicious vehicle was reported in a Hampton neighbourhood and police responded. A chase ensued along Highway 121 and then a brief foot chase. Two men were arrested.

"It was the right place and the right time for us, and the wrong time and wrong place for them," said Sgt. Steve Gourdeau of the Hampton RCMP.

Two men and a female were also taken into custody and police expect to make more arrests in the coming days.

Police forces combining resources and sharing information, Scribner and Gourdeau agree, is becoming more and more common.

"That resulted in the successes we had just recently," Scribner said.

On Monday, William Kincade, 19, of Saint John pleaded guilty to break, enter and theft.

He also pleaded guilty to resisting arrest and failing to stop his vehicle for a police officer. He has been remanded to the Saint John Correctional Centre until his sentencing on Feb. 23 in Hampton court.

Judge Henrik Tonning ordered a victim impact statement and pre-sentence report.

Ryan Byers, 19, of Saint John pleaded not guilty to break, enter and theft into a residence in Kingston on Jan. 9, and resisting arrest. During his bail hearing Tuesday, he was remanded into custody until Feb. 10 at which time a trial date will be set.