Mission, B.C., man charged in 2 recent break-ins, RCMP say

Mission RCMP shared this photo of the accused, 32-year-old Clayton Pierce. (Mission RCMP)

A 32-year-old Mission resident has been charged in connection to a break-in that occurred in November, during which more than a dozen firearms were stolen.

Clayton Pierce has been charged with breaking and entering in connection to the incident, Mission RCMP announced in a news release Friday, adding that the stolen guns have not been recovered and "other suspects are still outstanding" in the case.

Pierce was arrested on Jan. 7 in Abbotsford, when officers from the Abbotsford Police Department, the RCMP's Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment and Mission RCMP all responded to a break-in at a farm property on No. 4 Road.

At the time, Abbotsford police said on social media that they had set up "containment" around the large property and deployed a spike belt to stop a fleeing vehicle.

The following day, Abbotsford police said two men – Pierce and Dean Gilmore – had been charged with breaking and entering. Pierce was additionally charged with dangerous driving, obstructing a peace officer, and flight from police.

Mission RCMP said Pierce's charge in their city stems from an ongoing investigation into a break-in at a home near the north end of Sylvester Road in the city's Hatzic neighbourhood around 2 a.m. on Nov. 14.

Police have previously said "a group of offenders" was involved in that incident, during which "a large firearms safe," more than a dozen guns – including both rifles and handguns – and "a quantity of jewelry" were stolen.

Pierce remains in custody, police said, adding that his next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 15 in Abbotsford provincial court.

Gilmore was released from custody after an initial appearance. Online court records indicate he is next due in court on the Abbotsford charges on Jan. 27.

"Anyone with information about the Hatzic break and enter, or the location of the stolen firearms or other property is asked to contact Mission RCMP at 604-826-7161," the detachment said.