Photo: Chilliwack RCMP headquarters.

A man has been arrested following a Chilliwack RCMP investigation of a smash-and-grab car theft incident last month. 

On Nov. 30, the RCMP Prolific Offender Suppression Team saw the man on a bicycle bringing an amount of suspicious property behind a business in the area of Gore Avenue.

“The individual is identified by the Chilliwack RCMP as a prolific offender and known to our officers who turned their attention to his activity,” said Corporal Mike Rail, spokesperson for the Upper Valley Regional Detachment of the RCMP.

Patrol members soon established that a pickup truck in the area had been the subject of a smash-and-grab, and evidence pointed to the cyclist. 

The man was found within minutes and taken into custody, at which point items linking the suspect to stolen property from the truck and other nearby thefts were seized on his person. 

Branden Paul Tanner, 20, of Chilliwack has now been charged with possession of an instrument for the purpose of breaking into a motor vehicle and possession of property obtained by crime. 

Tanner has been released from custody pending an appearance in court later this month. 

"RCMP plain clothes officers remaining alert and flexible during one investigation, shifted their focus to apprehend the suspect,” Rail said.