POLICE BELIEVE SERIES OF CRIMES LINKED TO MURDER

The attempted rip-off of a marijuana grow-op, six men with a machete
and a car crash involving an 18-year-old man with stab wounds.

Those are the clues Coquitlam RCMP are working with to solve the
city's fifth murder.

A neighbour taking a stroll discovered the body of Tuong "Tommy" Vo,
25, of Surrey outside a home in the 1500-block Manzanita Court in
upscale Westwood Plateau at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

There was no one home at the time but events early in the morning have
led police to believe Vo's murder is connected to an attempted theft
of marijuana from a grow-op in the 1300-block Erskine Street, said
Cpl. Catherine Galliford.

Police went to that location after getting a complaint at 3 a.m. about
six men with a machete in the 1300-block Napier Street.

While investigating at Napier Street, clues led RCMP to a home on
Erskine Street where it appeared a serious assault had taken place.

Nobody was home when police arrived.

"No arrests have been made," said Galliford. "We're still in the early
stages of the investigation."

But RCMP and the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team want to
question a teen involved in a single-vehicle crash at United Boulevard
and Lougheed Highway shortly after 3 a.m.

He had serious knife wounds and was sent to Royal Columbian Hospital.
The 18-year-old was in stable condition last night.

It's not known if Vo, who was known to police, just stumbled in front
of the home on Manzanita Court or if the residents are connected to
the case, said Galliford.

Westwood Plateau, home to the "Street of Dreams," was also home to
several grow-ops busted this year.

In May, police seized 600 pot plants from a house in the 1500-block
Salal Crescent. And in March, police raided an alleged grow-op in the
2500-block Platinum Lane.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 604-945-1550 or
CrimeStoppers at 604-669-TIPS (8477).