Rick Stiebel/News Gazette staff
Reports of vehicle theft and attempted theft of vehicles on the West Shore have doubled, compared to the same time frame last year.
The 23 thefts of vehicles and 13 attempted thefts between Jan. 1 and April 30 of this year marks a significant increase, said West Shore RCMP Cpl. Bob Pilot. In seven instances keys were used, and 14 of the 36 vehicles targeted had alarms, immobilizers or the doors were locked, noted Pilot, who works with the detachment’s Crime Reduction Unit. Honda and Ford products were the most sought by thieves, he added.
“We are requesting the public’s assistance in helping us solve these crimes because we know that there are people in the community who are responsible for those crimes,” Pilot said. “We need people to come forward and help us target the small group of individuals who are responsible for the majority of our crimes.”
The public can also play a role in crime reduction by following tips and best practices that can prevent the theft of vehicles, or theft from vehicles, Pilot said.
Invest in a good anti-theft device, preferably a passive immobilizer, and use a steering wheel lock. Secure your license plates with bolts to avoid having them stolen and never leave spare keys in your vehicle. Do not set the “Home” function on your GPS to your home address. Use a nearby intersection instead, Pilot suggested.
If you have secured parking, always wait until the automatic gate has closed, and never leave your garage door opener in your vehicle. Park in open, visible areas and ensure your driveway is well lit.
“Do not leave any property in your vehicle or expect to find it missing when you return,” Pilot said. “Thieves will break in for as little as a few coins or a cigarette lighter. If you must leave items in your car, secure them in the trunk because thieves routinely check the glove box and under the seats.”
Typically, items stolen from vehicles include house keys, wallets, purses, credit cards, GPS units, passports, cash, clothing and sunglasses.
Pilot stressed that you should never leave personal identification in a vehicle such as a driver’s license, financial documents or credit and debit information that reveal your identity because it can lead to identity theft. “Often, thieves take only ID and credit cards from wallets or purses because the owner may not realize they are missing until much later,” Pilot explained. “You should also record the serial number of all of your valuable items.”
Pilot wants to remind people to always report any suspicious activity to the RCMP at 250-474-2264. If you have any information on auto theft, you can anonymously contact Crime Stoppers as well at 1-800-222-8477.