13 charges laid against Chilliwack man allegedly behind two-week property crime spree downtown in May
Bail hearing Thursday for Stephen James Hibak charged with fraud, mischief, auto theft, break and enter, drunk driving
July 9, 2026
A 33-year-old man is facing more than a dozen criminal charges on four files for an alleged property crime spree spanning two weeks in Chilliwack in May.
Crown counsel approved a total of 13 charges against Stephen James Hibak in connection with alleged vehicle thefts, break-and-enters, fraudulent use of credit cards, and thefts between May 2 and May 15 in the Midtown and Spadina areas, also near Little Mountain and across the highway on Evans Road.
Chilliwack RCMP issued a news release on May 27 announcing the rash of residential break and enters, many involving unlocked doors, windows and vehicles. Then on July 8, police issued a second release announcing Hibak’s arrest and the charges he faces.
Hibak remains in custody and was scheduled for a bail hearing on July 9 in provincial court in Abbotsford.
A break down of dates and specific charges Hibak faces:
• May 2:
possession of stolen property;
fraud under $5,000; and
possess/use stolen credit card.
• May 4:
motor vehicle theft;
possession of stolen property over $5,000;
impaired driving; and
refusal to provide breath sample.
• May 13:
mischief under $5,000; and
theft under $5,000.
• May 15
break and enter, indictable;
motor vehicle theft;
possession of stolen property over $5,000; and
four counts of possess/use stolen credit card.
Hibak’s arrest and charges, however, all come from several days before the May 27 Chilliwack RCMP news release about the rash of property crimes. In fact, charges were sworn and Hibak had a court appearance for the May 15 allegations on May 17. He was charged and first in court for the May 4 and May 13 allegations on May 19. And it was on May 27, the day police issued the statement about the crime spree, that he was charged and in court on the May 2 allegations.
All of that was a month and a half before the charges were announced in the news release issued July 8.
The huge raft of charges Hibak faces does not even cover all the reported incidents in a similar vein from that stretch from May 3 to May 15. The RCMP statement July 9 said vehicles were reported stolen from residences on Midtown Way, Spadina Avenue, and Angus Drive, all of which were recovered by police that same day. The vehicle stolen from Angus Drive on May 4 was found with the suspect inside exhibiting signs of impairment.
Bank cards allegedly stolen from residences on Midtown Way and Spadina Avenue were later reported to have been used in several fraudulent purchases in the Chilliwack area. Between May 6 and May 7, residential break and enters were reported on Linwood Street and Quarry Road. In both incidents, the homeowners’ vehicles were also reported stolen. Both vehicles were recovered by police on the same day they were reported stolen.
Additionally, on May 13, an attempted residential break and enter was reported on Evans Road resulting in damage to a vehicle. The suspect left the area prior to police arrival and did not take anything from the property.
Through crime linkage analysis, the Chilliwack RCMP Priority Target Team (PTT) identified Hibak as a possible suspect and assumed conduct of a targeted investigation with frontline officers.
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Lock your doors
Between the period of Hibak's alleged offences in the first half of May, RCMP crime analysts identified 15 residential break and enters in Chilliwack. Only four of those involved forced entry, meaning 73 per cent involved unsecured properties or other preventable circumstances.
RCMP analysts regularly examine crime data to support police operations. Their work helps officers identify emerging crime patterns, identify crime hot spots, and track repeat offenders, so police can focus on prevention and enforcement efforts.
Officers continue proactive patrols in identified hot spots and work to identify and target those responsible. Significant efforts are ongoing to both prevent these offences and hold offenders accountable.
“Many of these incidents could have been prevented by taking simple steps to secure homes and vehicles,” said Cpl. Carmen Kiener. “Residents play an important role in helping reduce crime in our communities.”
Police encourage residents to:
• lock all doors and windows, even when at home;
• lock vehicles, regardless of where they are parked;
• secure garage doors and garage door openers;
• remove valuables from plain view; and
• ensure exterior lighting is functioning properly.
Residents planning to be away for extended periods should consider arranging for mail pickup, using timers on lights, and asking trusted neighbours to monitor their property.
Police urge residents to report suspicious activity immediately. This includes unfamiliar vehicles slowly driving through neighbourhoods, individuals checking door handles, or unusual late-night activity around homes.
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Paul J. Henderson
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