Man found dead in car parked near Surrey school known to police

ELAINE O’CONNOR
VANCOUVER DESI

A vehicle under a tarp is removed Feb. 20, 2013 on the back of a tow truck near Hyland Elementary School in Surrey, B.C. Ian Lindsay/PNG

A 29-year-old Surrey man found dead in a car parked near an elementary school had previous run-ins with police.

Vimal Chand was found dead inside a vehicle at the intersection of 66th Avenue and 140th Street in Surrey on Wednesday evening at about 6:30 p.m.

The body inside the car was initially discovered by a passerby, who reported it to the police.

Integrated Homicide Investigation Team’s Cpl. Bari Emam said Thursday that Chand’s death was a homicide, but he was spare with details.

Emam would not say what kind of weapon was used, or exactly when or where Chand was killed.

Chand was reported missing Sunday morning after he failed to return Saturday night to the home he shared with his parents in the 13100 block of 111th Avenue.

He had told his father, Karam Chand, that he’d be back soon.

Eram would not elaborate on whether the homicide was gang related, nor would he expand on whether the victim had a criminal record.

However, Emam stated that Chand’s full name was Vimal Vikash Chand, and court records show a man with that name has a history of driving infractions and run-ins with police.

In 2005, Chand was convicted on one count of causing fear of injury to another person.

In 2007, Chand was found guilty of one count of assault with a weapon.

Another set of charges, including extortion, uttering threats and assault with a weapon, were dismissed.

Some of the criminal proceedings are subject to a publication ban.

Chand’s driving infractions include speeding, failing to stop for police, driving while prohibited, running red lights and driving without due care and attention.

A forensics team was still on scene Thursday morning.

The residential area near Hyland Elementary School was cordoned off and closed to traffic.

Several officers were at the scene working behind police tape, and a police truck was parked in the school lot.

Images of the scene on Wednesday night show a tarp covering a light-coloured sedan, similar to the one that Chand was last seen driving.

However, Cpl. Emam would not say if Chand was found in his own vehicle or another one.

Before he was found, Chand’s family and friends started a Facebook page to help search for him.

On Thursday, the page was filled with condolences.

“My heart goes out to his family. This is so heartbreaking,” wrote Harp Bhandal. “My thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones. Rest in peace Vimal. You will be greatly missed.”

eoconnor@theprovince.com
twitter.com/elainereporting

Tags: homicide, Surrey