Vancouver police bust thief stopped for coffee beside station

It mighthave been the perfect crime if only a caffeine craving hadn't got in the way.

On Monday, September 21, a number of Vancouver police officers watched in amazement as a delivery van that had been reported stolen moments earlier,drove right past VPD Headquarters on Cambie Street andparkednearby.

The man driving the van thengot out and walked to theStarbuckscoffee shop at the end of the block.

Police followed,entered the coffee shop, andafter a brief struggle, arrested the man.

VPD spokesman Const. BrianMontague says the only thing that could have made solving this crime easier would be if the thiefhad put on his own handcuffs.

Brian Ross Phillips, 55, has been charged with theft of a motor vehicle and taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent.

Montague says a 911 call came in around 6:00 a.m. PT Monday morning after the van's rightfuldriver had stopped brieflyonRobson Street near Homer to make a quick delivery.

Although he had shut off the engine, the keys were leftin the ignition and the thief jumped in and took off with the driver chasing on foot.

Police say neither mental health nor drugs appear to be factors inthe crime.

Officers were able to quickly return the van to a thankful delivery driver with his cargo intact and untouched.