Burnaby RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a van seen leaving a break-and-enter June 14 where approximately $30,000 in tools was stolen.

The van has a very similar description as that being sought in connection with the death of a Burnaby contractor Thursday morning–a red Econo-line van with a temporary operator's permit in the back window.

"It is completely coincidental," said Burnaby RCMP Corp. Brenda Gresiuk Friday afternoon.

"We are dealing with two separate incidents, there's no way to link these two incidents together but that's what we do as part of our investigation anyhow.

"IHIT is aware of this file and they're aware of the similarities and they're looking at that also."

On June 14, at around 3 p.m. a shipping container was being stored at the rear of a business located in the 7300-block of Winston Street when it was broken into. The container was used as a machinery shop and various tools were stolen.

The tools were inscribed with the letters “GFX” and include a rotary table, an auto self-tapping machine, two complete tap and die sets, a manual vernier caliper, an electronic vernier caliper, two blue box containers with wood chisel sets and two wooden boxes with number and letter punches.

Anyone with information about this crime, the location of the tools, or van is asked to call Corp. Shelley Wiltse at 604-306-1832.

In the other incident, on July 2 just before 10 a.m., the owner of Berto Contractors Ltd., Alberto Morgadinho, died from injuries suffered following an altercation with the driver of a van outside his business in the 7500-block of Meadow Avenue in South Burnaby.

Anyone with information on this incident or the van involved is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448.

wchow@burnabynewsleader.com