Update: Saanich Police say Zoe Thompson has been located and arrested in the Lower Mainland.

Original story: Saanich Police have seized more than $100,000 in stolen property in what officials are calling the biggest bust they’ve ever seen.

On Tuesday, officers showed off a small portion of the goods recovered from a property just off the Pat Bay Highway that police searched in October – finding a cache of items including four guns, generators, tools, jewelry and personal ID’s.

So many items were seized that police had to rent a storage locker just to contain them all.

“We had a five-tonne cube van that was absolutely jammed full. We could not fit any more property into it,” said Saanich Police spokesman Sgt. Steve Eassie. “Just the sheer, vast size of this property is incredible.”

The recovered property has been linked to thefts across Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and as far east as Nelson, he said.

Two Saanich residents have been arrested in connected with the seizure and have been charged with a combined 90 offences.

Darren Chernoff, 45, and Zoe Thompson, 26, each face a raft of charges including:

  • 17 counts of Possession of Stolen Property Under $5000
  • 2 counts of Possession of Stolen Property Over $5000
  • 19 counts of Dealing With an Identity Document Without Excuse
  • 5 counts of Possession of a Weapon Obtained Through An Offence
  • 1 count of Unsafe Storage of a Firearm

Chernoff faces an additional charge of possession of a firearm contrary to an order, while Thompson faces a charge of break and enter and commit theft. Further charges could be recommended, Eassie said.

Thompson was released from custody on a promise to appear in court after her Oct. 7 arrest but didn’t show up. A warrant has been issued for her arrest. Chernoff will appear in court in early December.

Eassie said a number of owners of stolen property have been identified and contacted, but there are still many items that haven’t been claimed.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim is asked to call Saanich Police at 250-475 4321.

Those with information that could help with the investigation are asked to call police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.