Man charged in theft of personal protective equipment from Vancouver retirement home
Posted May 7, 2020 10:02 am.
Last Updated May 7, 2020 10:45 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — One man has been charged after a large quantity of personal protective equipment was stolen from a retirement home last week, including more than 6,000 faces masks.
A man broke into the storage area at the Terraces on 7th, a seniors retirement residence, in the evening of April 29, according to the Vancouver Police Department.
Several cases of face masks and hand sanitizer were taken.
Police have surveillance video of a man loading boxes into a black sedan, with the help of another, and the vehicle driving away.
Police then discovered two men were selling the stolen protective equipment through social media.
#VPD say charges have been laid against one man and recommended against another accused of stealing PPE from the Terraces on 7th retirement home last week, including 6,000 masks and hand sanitizer. The pair then apparently started selling the PPE via social media. @NEWS1130
— Sonia Aslam (@SoniaSAslam) May 7, 2020
“Healthcare workers are on the frontline of this pandemic and they are putting their lives at risk every day,” says Const. Tania Visintin.
“Having this vital equipment taken from them is very upsetting and frustrating.”
Charges of break-and-enter and possession of property obtained by crime have been approved against Jesse Coutlee, 28.
Charges have been recommended against the second suspect, according to police.
Visintin said the protective equipment has been returned to the retirement home.
If anyone sees a crime or suspicious activity in progress, call 9-1-1.
