One man has been charged after allegedly stealing a delivery van downtown early yesterday morning and driving it to the police station.
At about 6:00 a.m. on Monday September 21st, a driver stopped his van on Robson near Homer Street to make a quick delivery at a local business. He shut the engine off, but left the keys in the ignition. A man got into the unoccupied vehicle and drove away with the owner running behind in hot pursuit. When it was clear the thief was not going to stop, the delivery driver immediately called 9-1-1.
Within minutes of the vehicle being reported stolen, several Vancouver Police officers starting their shift saw the van as it was driven past VPD headquarters on Cambie Street. To their amazement, they observed the driver of the van park and walk to the coffee shop at the end of the block.
Police entered the coffee shop and after a brief struggle, arrested the man. It does not appear that either mental health or drugs were a factor in the incident. Officers were able to quickly return the van to a thankful delivery driver with his cargo intact and untouched.
Fifty-five-year-old Brian Ross Phillips has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle and taking a motor vehicle without the owners consent. He has been released from custody with several conditions until his court appearance on September 30th.
