Security officers who saw catalytic converter thefts in progress helped Hope RCMP arrest one suspect and identify another during an early-morning crime at a car dealership.
It was around 4 a.m. on Saturday, April 18 when officers from Valley Protection Services (VPS) were patrolling a neighbouring business and heard noises coming from the Gardner GMC dealership on Water Avenue.
“VPS officers heard the sound of electrical grinders coming from the closed dealership property,” VPS stated in a press release.
They immediately checked out what was happening and saw people “actively removing catalytic converters from multiple new GMC vehicles on site.”
VPS contacted RCMP and worked with them to contain the situation.
“Through this co-ordinated response, one suspect was apprehended on scene, while another fled the area on foot.”
RCMP made the tactical arrest, but had police not arrived in time, the security officers would have made the arrest, VPS added.
After bringing in the RCMP Police Dog Services, the suspect’s scent led officers to a spot where they found stashed tools and approximately 20 catalytic converters believed to have been stolen from the dealership.
The security officers also found a “suspicious” red Ford F-150 in the area with Alberta plates which had items consistent with the offence, including safety goggles and electrical tools.
Because of this, investigators were able to identify the suspect who had fled the scene.
“This collaboration directly led to enforcement action, including the issuance of a warrant for the suspect’s arrest.”
VPS said the incident represents a “significant disruption to organized property crime” in the community, and it’s expected there will be “considerable” charges.
“This is exactly what proactive enforcement looks like,” VPS added. “We are not here to observe and report—we are here to take action. By working alongside the RCMP, we are helping put a stop to ongoing property crime and making it clear that this type of activity will not be tolerated in our community.”
VPS is based in Hope and was formed in October 2025. Though newly established, the executive team has 13 years of combined experience in security enforcement, First Nations enforcement, and bylaw enforcement.