Good surveillance video aided Coquitlam RCMP in nabbing a man accused of robbing a Coquitlam Centre sandwich shop.
A video widely shared on social media showed a man jumping a counter at Chachi’s in the mall food court and rummaging through drawers and shelves.
Three tablets and a large amount of cash was taken, according to Coquitlam RCMP, which confirmed that a man is in custody on charges of break and enter relating to the mall incident and another break-in as well as a breach of parole.
Shop owner Darrin Gutoski, who opened his Chachi’s sandwich franchise two years ago, said he was devastated by the break-in because it resulted in lost customers while equipment had to be replaced and cash is difficult to trace and get back.
“I’m just a small business owner in the community," he told The Tri-City News last week. “I employ seven people and give them a livelihood, and it hurts, and I’m not sure how insurance will cover the cash. I’ll l have to go through that process.”
Gutoski and the mall provided surveillance video, which RCMP used to identify the man, who the Mounties said is well known to police.
RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said, “We strongly encourage business owners to get good quality surveillance video and to know how to use it. But we’re asking people not to post security video images to social media as there’s as serious chance of undermining the investigation.”
Tyler Nahanee, 27, of no fixed address, is facing three charges of break and enter, one of which relates to the mall incident, as well as a charge of breach of probation. Nahanee was arrested March 6 and remains in custody until March 18, when he will face a bail hearing.
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