July 8, 2009

Crime

Construction contractor dies in altercation in Burnaby, British Columbia

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

The suspicious death of a construction contractor in Burnaby, B.C. is being investigated by the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team and the RCMP Serious Crime Unit.

Sixty-year old Alberto Morgadinho died last week after an altercation with an unidentified man.

“Early indications are Mr. Morgadinho and the driver of this van became involved in an altercation and tragically Mr. Morgadinho died as a result of the injuries he sustained,” said RCMP media relations officer Brenda Gresiuk.

The incident began at the offices of Berto Contractors on Meadow Avenue in Burnaby. Morgadinho was found in the street, not far from where the altercation began.

He was killed when the man fled the scene in an older Econo-line van.

Police are still investigating what prompted the altercation and haven’t revealed the details of the confrontation.

However, the RCMP dismissed early reports from employees with the company that said he died fighting off a car thief.

“We have ruled out that it was the theft of a vehicle,” said Gresiuk.

“All the vehicles on the premises have been accounted for.”

Another version of events, from neighbours of the business, is that someone was trying to get away with stolen copper, when Morgadinho tried to stop him.

The police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating the suspect vehicle, which is in poor condition, and is painted with flat red primer.

The vehicle may have a temporary operator permit attached to the rear window as well as a license plate.

“We won’t know what took place until we talk to the driver of the red van,” said Gresiuk.

Berto Contractors is listed as a general contractor that does residential work.

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