SURREY, B.C. - Police are crediting residents and businesses with providing information that led to the arrest of a man suspected of killing a 17-year-old girl in Surrey, B.C., though he has yet to be identified.
RCMP say the man has been charged with the second-degree murder of Serena Vermeersch as part of a random attack and was scheduled to appear in court Monday.
Staff Sgt. Jennifer Pound of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said the name of the man arrested in Vancouver early Saturday will not be released because of a publication ban sought by his defence lawyer.
She said a news conference Monday was delayed by an hour as police tried to get the ban lifted in the case that Chief Supt. Dan Malo called "a horrible crime of opportunity."
Pound said the influx of tips was pivotal as police worked around the clock to arrest a suspect.
"The community worked closely with us on this one," she said, adding tips from the public and "extreme support" from businesses helped police apprehend the man as fear spread among residents in the area.
Pound read a statement from Vermeersch's family saying that while they are grateful for the support they've received they wish to be left alone to grieve their loss.
Vermeersch was last seen walking along railroad tracks last Tuesday night, and when she didn't come home by early Wednesday her mother phoned police.
Her body was found later Wednesday, prompting RCMP to issue a public plea for information about a man seen in a Dodge pickup truck near the tracks shortly before the gruesome discovery by a volunteer search and rescue team.
On Monday, Pound said police had not yet identified the driver but that police would like to speak with him.
Chief Supt. Bill Fordy of the Surrey RCMP detachment said Vermeersch was just a teen going about her business when she met with foul play, something police suspected from the start.
"As I stand here right now Serena should be at Sullivan Heights Secondary School, having a laugh with her classmates and perhaps thinking about her graduation. Sadly, that is not the case."
He said the teen's death has galvanized the Newton community where other high-profile deaths have occurred.
Last December, hockey mom Julie Paskall was killed outside the hockey arena while picking up her son from practice, raising safety concerns in the area not far from where Vermeersch was killed.
