Man jumps on top of SUV in attempt to stop thieves from escaping after B.C. break-in

A small business owner in Port Coquitlam is searching for a Good Samaritan who jumped on the truck of thieves who’d broken into their store.

Surveillance video captured the “courageous” efforts of a Good Samaritan who attempted to stop a burglary at a collectibles store in Port Coquitlam Friday morning.

The video, shared with CTV News by Chris Watson of Hunters Toys & Collectibles on Prairie Avenue, shows thieves loading up an SUV outside the front door.

A man walks across the parking lot to confront them, and one of the thieves attacks him with what appears to be bear spray.

The Good Samaritan walks to the far end of the parking lot and the three thieves finish loading the vehicle. Then, the man – seemingly noticing that the suspects are about to flee – runs back over to the SUV and climbs up onto its roof.

The vehicle then speeds off with the man still on top.

Watson told CTV News police informed him that the Good Samaritan was not seriously injured in the incident, and does not want to speak publicly about what happened.

“I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting the gentleman, nor has he come by the store,” Watson said. “He looked to be doing everything he possibly could.”

“I’m hoping that he’s OK. I want to personally thank him, if I can, but I haven’t had the opportunity, as of yet,” he added, describing the man’s actions as “courageous.”

Other surveillance videos show the thieves’ efforts to break in and their targets once inside.

One of the videos shows sparks flying as the suspects work to cut through the metal security gate that was in place inside the store’s front door.

Watson said he was called to the scene by his security company Friday morning. Police were already present when he arrived.

He said Coquitlam RCMP investigators told him it appears the thieves were experienced, given the tools they used and the fact that they operated in a co-ordinated group of three.

Anyone with information about the break-in should contact Mounties directly, Watson said, adding that he has not yet heard from police about any leads in the case.

The thieves focused on taking remote control cars and parts, Watson said, noting that in some cases they left behind key components – such as batteries and controllers – inside the boxes that they opened.

Since the break-in, many local RC clubs have shared the news on their social media accounts, warning enthusiasts to be on the lookout for the stolen goods, Watson said.

“I don’t know of anybody that would want to do this,” he said. “I feel that we have a really good community with the store, as well as with the track that we put on.”

He added that the community response has been “remarkable,” with customers stopping by or calling to offer condolences on what happened.

Watson said the incident was “shocking,” particularly because of the security measures that were in place.

“It’s very unsettling,” he said. “We have bars and we have security gates, so I thought we did (prepare) and were prepared for, you know, at least to deter people from doing it, with the amount of work that you would have to go into.”