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Police arrest 2 after vehicle thefts

Wanted on outstanding warrants and for driving a stolen vehicle, police have finally caught up with Charles Hughes and Coriander Cerminara.
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Police caught up with two men seen driving a stolen vehicle.

Wanted on outstanding warrants and for driving a stolen vehicle, police have finally caught up with Charles Hughes and Coriander Cerminara.

The pair had been spotted on Osborne Bay Road in Crofton on the afternoon of Sept. 1 but with the help of Const. Garfield Henderson and police dog, Enzo, they were taken into custody on Sept. 4 at a residence in Ladysmith.

The North Cowichan/Duncan and Nanaimo street crimes units worked together on the arrest.

Hughes and Cerminara were identified as suspects after police learned they’d been in possession of stolen vehicles up and down the Island at various times.

“They had been spotted by police more than once in stolen vehicles but circumstances related to public safety prevented police from bringing them into custody,” said Const. Colin Douglas.

Douglas is the officer in charge of the North Cowichan/Duncan street crimes unit.

According to a press release issued by North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Krista Hobday, police from multiple jurisdictions had been actively searching for the pair as a result of the rash of thefts, break ins, and stolen vehicles being reported from Nanaimo to Victoria.

They were taken into custody without incident about 4:30 p.m. Sept. 4, appeared before a Judicial Justice of the Peace and were remanded in custody.

Hughes faces six charges including: possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight while pursued by a peace officer, driving while disqualified, and failure to comply with recognizance.

Cerminara is looking at charges including: property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, and failure to comply with recognizance.

Hobday encourages those with information regarding this incident or any incidents they feel are related to this investigation to contact the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP at 250-748-5522.



Sarah Simpson

About the Author: Sarah Simpson

I started my time with Black Press Media as an intern, before joining the Citizen in the summer of 2004.
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