Two teens charged in murder of Surrey mechanic

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – It’s a case that even shocked investigators. Two boys, aged 15 and 16, have been charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of a popular and well-known mechanic from Surrey who was killed just over a month ago.

Police say the three weren’t strangers, confirming the two accused and the victim all knew each other because they were always in the same neighbourhood.

Paul Prestbakmo, 45, was found stabbed to death in a parking lot near Semiahmoo Shopping Centre at about 3 a.m. in mid-August.

.@HomicideTeam says two boys, 15 and 16, have each been charged with one count of 2nd-degree murder in the stabbing death of #SurreyBC mechanic Paul Prestbakmo. His body was found in the middle of the night in a parking lot near the Semiahmoo Shopping Centre. Details on @NEWS1130

— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) September 19, 2019

“Paul lived in the area. He came down to take out the garbage, went for a smoke before he was killed. That’s what we’ve uncovered. We certainly don’t believe that this was an incident involving strangers, they knew each other to some degree,” explains Sergeant Frank Jang with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

“Our investigators have worked non-stop since August 16th and we’re pleased that we’ve secured charge approval and the work is certainly not over. We will be supporting the prosecution, there’s still disclosure that needs to be done, so certainly, the work continues for us.”

RELATED: Surrey’s latest homicide victim is 45 years old

The two can’t be named because they’re underage and IHIT isn’t speculating whether they would be tried as adults.

“The 15-year-old that’s been charged has been in custody since August 22nd for failing to abide by court-imposed conditions and the 16-year-old has been in custody since August 21st for the same reason.”

Jang isn’t saying if there was a fight or what may have prompted the stabbing.

IHIT and Surrey RCMP announce that second degree murder charges have been laid against two youth in relation to the August 16th homicide of 45-year-old Paul Prestbakmo in South #SurreyBC. pic.twitter.com/hX8PRZYXIT

— Surrey RCMP (@SurreyRCMP) September 19, 2019

“It is stunning. A 15-year-old and 16-year-old — really boys — now charged with second-degree murder is troubling news, but the reality is our investigators put together a very extensive and thorough evidence package and they’ve now been charged with second-degree murder. The investigation continues, just because charge approval has been secured… in fact, we are following up on several other leads,” says Jang.

The victim was not known to police and investigators add he had no gang ties. “A violent incident like this has significant impacts on both the victim’s family and the surrounding community, as their sense of safety is upended,” says Surrey RCMP Corporal Elenore Sturko. “It is our sincere hope the quick conclusion to this investigation will bring a measure of comfort to both Mr. Prestbakmo’s family and to the South Surrey community.”

Anyone with more information about this case is asked to call the IHIT Tipline at 1.877.551.4448 (IHIT) or CrimeStoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS.