16 charges laid in alleged Chilliwack property crime spree, police say

The RCMP logo is seen outside the force's 'E' division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on March 16, 2023. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

A man who allegedly contributed to a surge in break-ins in the city of Chilliwack, B.C., earlier this year has been arrested and charged, police say.

Stephan Hibak is facing a total of 16 charges, Chilliwack RCMP said in a news release Wednesday.

Online court records indicate the 33-year-old is scheduled to make his next appearance in Abbotsford provincial court on Friday. Police said he remains in custody.

Hibak is charged with the following offences, according to police:

• Impaired operation of a motor vehicle
• Refusal to comply with a breath demand
• Two counts of theft of motor vehicle
• Theft under $5,000
• Five counts of unauthorized use of a credit card
• Breaking and entering with intent to commit an indictable offence
• Three counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000
• Fraud under $5,000
• Mischief under $5,000

The charges stem from an investigation that took place in May, police said.

“In early May 2026, the Chilliwack RCMP noted an increase in residential break and enters, as well as thefts of vehicles from residential properties across the community,” the detachment’s release reads.

“Between May 3 and May 15, vehicles were reported stolen from residences on Midtown Way, Spadina Avenue, and Angus Drive. All vehicles were recovered in Chilliwack by police the same day they were reported stolen.”

When they found the vehicle stolen from Angus Drive, police encountered a man exhibiting signs of impairment inside, Mounties said.

Bank cards allegedly taken from the Midtown Way and Spadina Avenue homes were later used to make “several fraudulent purchases,” according to police.

There were also break-ins on Linwood Street and Quarry Road on May 6 and 7, each of which also involved the theft of a vehicle, police said. Again, the stolen vehicles were recovered on the same day they were reported missing.

On May 13, another attempted break-in was reported on Evans Road, police said. That time, a vehicle was damaged, but nothing was stolen.

The Chilliwack RCMP Priority Target Team used “crime linkage analysis” to identify a possible suspect and further the investigation, ultimately leading to the approval of charges against Hibak.

“Chilliwack RCMP continue to prioritize property crime and remain committed to identifying and targeting repeat offenders to enhance community safety,” the release concludes.