Nearly five months after mayhem tore through the streets of Vancouver, the VPD has announced the first 163 charges recommended against 60 people who allegedly took part in the Stanley Cup riot.
“This is just the beginning,” police chief Jim Chu said yesterday, adding some of the recommended charges include mischief, break-and-enter and participation in a riot.
Chu stressed that the 50 men and 10 women represent only the first of those who may face charges for allegedly looting, burning cars, and damaging property following the June 15 riot.
The chief also took aim at those who criticized the length of the riot investigation.
“There have been those who told us our decision to be thorough was wrong,” he said. “They urged us to rush cases to court.”
Chu said that their thorough investigation has led them to more substantial charges in several cases.
A special image-analysis technology allowed police to lay 37 additional charges against the 60 suspects — some of whom initially turned themselves in and apologized for a single crime, Chu said.
He cited some cases where the database came in handy to link suspects to video evidence.
In one case, a 21-year-old man from Vancouver Island came forward and apologized for damaging a car, but video evidence linked him to six damaged cars and three store break-ins.
Another case involves what Chu described as the “white-belt rioter.” A photograph of a man touching a dress through a broken store window wasn’t enough, so police searched “white belt” on the database. The man was quickly linked to evidence of possession of stolen goods and arson.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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