VPD launches Facebook campaign to nab rioters
Posted Apr 11, 2012 07:57:25 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – We’re about to do it all over again as the Vancouver Canucks start their 2012 playoff run, but Vancouver Police are still trying to nab at least 200 people suspected of participating in last year’s riot.
As the team gets ready for Game 1, the VPD is launching a campaign using Facebook to get your help to catch outstanding rioters. When you click on one of the ads you will be re-directed to the VPD’s riot website.
Inspector Les Yeo expects 160,000 people to click on it every day. “To isolate our target group to 17 to 27-year-olds across the Lower Mainland, Kelowna, Kamloops, Victoria, Nanaimo and Prince George.”
This morning, Crown Counsel approved 18 more charges against seven suspected rioters; bringing the total to 225 criminal charges against 85 suspected rioters.
The Integrated Riot Investigation Team has delivered an additional 76 charges to 25 more suspected rioters. To date, 508 charges have been recommended against 175 rioters.
A reminder for anyone heading to Downtown Vancouver to watch Game 1, there will be extra cops on the beat to deal with drunks. If you’re caught with open liquor, you can expect to be handed a fine of $230. Officers will also be carrying cameras to record anyone looking to cause mayhem.
“Remember this: we now have hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of video processing equipment at our immediate disposal that the Integrated Riot Investigation Team has been using for months now and we will use it if we need to for any new charges,” explains Constable Lindsey Houghton.
UBC student pleads guilty
A University of British Columbia student who was caught on tape stealing clothes from a store during the Stanley Cup riot last year has pleaded guilty to taking part in the riot.
Camille Cacnio wrote a lengthy apology after she was caught and was fired from her job at a car dealership. She initially defended herself but edited her confession shortly after a storm of criticism.
Cacnio has a sentencing hearing in mid-June. She is the third riot suspect to plead guilty.
Riot Facts:
– 15 per cent of rioters are from Vancouver
– 85 per cent are from outside Vancouver (40 per cent are from Surrey)
– 150 men and 25 women
– Average age is 21 years
– Youngest man is 15-years-old; youngest woman is 17-years-old
– Oldest man is 52-years-old; oldest woman is 30-years-old
– Most charges against one person is 10
– 32 young offenders (under 18-years-old)
