British Columbia

Trio charged with stealing 'large amount' of mail in Surrey

The mail was found in a minivan in the Morgan Creek area.

All 3 suspects known to police

Mail theft picks up in the winter, police say, and is often linked to more serious crimes, such as identity theft. (Gian-Paolo Mendoza/CBC)

Three men have been arrested and charged with stealing a "large amount" of mail in Surrey, B.C.

RCMP were called about someone allegedly stealing mail in the Morgan Creek area at 3:45 a.m. PT on Wednesday, according to a statement.

Responding officers found a minivan parked near Rosemary Heights Crescent and Rosemary Heights Drive.

Three men were inside, along with the mail. The suspects, who are all Surrey residents known to police, were arrested.

Craig Davies, 35, Jordan Wardstrom, 22, and Jamie Timbs, 41, have all been charged with theft of mail.

Wardstrom is facing an additional charge of possession of stolen property over $5,000.

RCMP said mail theft usually leads to more serious crimes.

"Mail theft is usually the start of identity theft which leads to impersonation," Cpl. Scotty Schumann said in a statement, adding that mail theft usually spikes in the winter.

Davies, Wardstrom and Timbs remain in custody.