A 29-year-old Maple Ridge man was arrested for possession of stolen property on Monday.

Two members of the RCMP’s street enforcement unit were near the Chevron gas station, in the 22200 block of Lougheed Highway when a stolen white Hyundai Tiburon came into the parking at about 3:30 p.m.

Police said the car was stolen from Coquitlam and the license plates were taken from a vehicle in Surrey.

The man was arrested and held in custody until his scheduled court appearance on Tuesday.

Police recommended four counts of possession of stolen property charges as well as possession of break and enter tools.

Search for suspect

Ridge Meadows RCMP are investigating an attempted robbery Monday at Meadow Ridge Shopping Centre.

A woman was going to the Royal Bank at about 8:30 p.m. when she was approached by a man holding a canister of pepper spray. Police said he demanded she hand over some cash, but when she refused, the man ran off.

He is described as a white man, about 5’8”, medium build and about 160 pounds. He was wearing black rimmed sunglasses, a black jacket, and black jeans.

A police dog was brought into the area, but was unable to locate the man.

• Anyone with any information is asked to contact Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251.

Grow-op busted

A Maple Ridge house fire led police to a marijuana grow-op Tuesday morning.

The fire department and RCMP were called to the 24100 block of 116 Avenue at about 3:30 a.m. As the fire department extinguished the blaze, police noted signs of a marijuana grow-op and ended up seizing a number of plants.

Police said the man, who claimed to be a renter at the home, surrendered to police at about 11:40 a.m. after the RCMP obtained a search warrant.

Police are recommending charges of cultivation of a controlled substance.

Bear sighting

A black bear was spotted near a Maple Ridge home on Tuesday.

Police were called to the 12100 block of 238B St., just after midnight, when the homeowner reported that someone was prowling around their home.

An officer searched the area and found an adult black bear in the wooded area behind the home.

The RCMP remind residents that bear sightings become more frequent in the fall. All garbage should be put away in an area not accessible by animals. Sightings can be reported to the B.C. Conservation office at 1-800-731-6373.