Cory Vallee, B.C. gang member arrested in Mexico
Police claim Vallee played a major role in the Lower Mainland's 2008/09 bloody gang feud
Cory Vallee — a man police claim played a major role in the Lower Mainland's 2008/09 bloody gang feud — was arrested in Mexico on Aug. 13 and appeared briefly in a Vancouver court Monday.
Vallee, 37; who has evaded police for four years, had been charged in absentia with two counts of first degree murder, one of attempted murder, and one of conspiracy to commit murder.
Arrested in Guadelajara, Vallee's identity was quickly confirmed and he was transported back to B.C., according to a statement from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
In the statement, Kevin Hackett, Chief Officer for the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia, said Vallee's arrest was a testament to the dedication B.C. officers have to the victims and families of gang violence.
"As a result of the tremendous cooperation between IHIT, CFSEU-BC, Mexican authorities, and others, we were able to track down and arrest one of Canada’s most wanted men who had managed to elude us for four years," said the statement.
Vallee is accused of being part of the United Nations gang plot against rival organized crime group, the Red Scorpions, led by the notorious Bacon brothers.
In 2008, 24-year-old Jonathan Barber was gunned down in Burnaby, in what police say was a case of mistaken identity — Barber was installing a stereo in a car that was owned by one of the Bacon brothers.
The following year, Red Scorpion member Kevin LeClair was gunned down outside a grocery store in Langley.
Vallee is also accused of being part of a United Nations gang plot to kill Jonathan, Jarrod and Jamie Bacon.
Police are still hunting for the final suspect in the conspiracy, Conor D'Monte, who hasn't been seen since 2009.
Jamie Bacon is in jail serving time for a weapons conviction and awaiting trial on murder and conspiracy charges, while brother Jarrod is in prison for his part in a drug conspiracy.
Jonathan Bacon was gunned down in Kelowna in August 2011.
Vallee is expected to make his next court appearance on Thursday.
With files from Jesse Johnston