Armoured gang car seized in Vancouver

West Vancouver Police have yanked a bullet-proofed gang-mobile off the road. WVPD Const. Jeff Palmer says police conducting a traffic stop Dec. 28, 2007, discovered the halted vehicle was equipped with bullet resistant windows and ballistic armour. Palmer says police used the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act and federal transport regulations to take the heavily-armoured vehicle off the road.

Further investigation showed the driver did not have documentation to show alterations to the vehicle complied with road rules. Licence plates were seized from the vehicle and it was towed from the scene.

The vehicle owner, a 32-year-old Surrey resident and known gang member according to police, will have to prove to authorities that the vehicle complies with all federal and provincial regulations before it can be re-registered and insured for use.

This is the third armoured vehicle seized by Lower Mainland police forces, since a surge of enforcement following a spate of apparent gangland retaliation shootings that commenced in late 2007.

In December, Vancouver police seized two armoured cars they linked to gang activity.