Nanaimo RCMP officers are investigating after a safe was stolen during a break-and-enter incident at the Gas N Go, located at 5800 Turner Road.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8, said RCMP in a police release.
According to the release, officers were made aware of an alarm activation and, upon arriving at the scene, found the front door to the business pried open and the safe missing – which contained an undisclosed amount of cash.
After an initial investigation, patrol officers observed a white Dodge Ram 1500 single cab box pick spotted on video surveillance. The pickup was seen driving slowly through the parking lot, just prior to the break-in, said investigators. Police add that moments after the truck was spotted, a man could be seen prying open a door to the business and running inside.
The male suspect is described as Caucasian, standing around 5 ft. 10 in height and heavy set. At the time of the theft, he was wearing a grey t-shirt, jeans, gloves and black runners.
Police add that the suspect’s face was partially concealed by a mask and a bandana worn over his head.
The male suspect could be seen on surveillance cameras leaving the gas station with the safe and driving off in the white truck seen earlier.
The vehicle was last seen turning westbound onto Turner Road toward Highway 19A, said RCMP, while adding that the stolen safe was located the next day in Lantzville with its contents emptied.
Nanaimo RCMP is asking for anyone with information on the incident to please call the non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file # 2020-32975.
Graham Cox
