Prince George Mounties are once again reminding local residents to make sure your vehicles are locked when they’re not in use.
This comes after RCMP responded to 126 reports of theft from vehicles in the city for the month of June; 75 during the first two weeks, then a 32 per cent drop to 51 between June 16 and 29.
According to a release, the thefts took place at all hours of the day and night in various areas of Prince George, but the drop is attributed to the arrest and jailing of individuals known to steal from local vehicles.
However, despite the decrease in the final two weeks of June, RCMP Cpl. Craig Douglass says there are some thieves that will be released from custody soon that could commit the same crimes.
“Every week many property offenders are arrested, others are convicted, while others complete their sentence and are released from custody,” said Cpl. Douglass in a statement. “There is never a good time to leave items in your vehicles and never a good time to leave your vehicle doors unlocked.”
Some of the stolen stolen include:
- Electronic devices
- Loose change and gift cards
- Wallets and purses
- Drivers licenses
- Sunglasses
- Clothes
- Tools
In most of June’s thefts, police say the vehicles were left unlocked and had high-valued items in open view and they encourage the public to keep all personal belongings out of a vehicle and in a secure location, which will help decrease the chances of crime.
The RCMP’s release further states they continue to “target priority & prolific offenders, as well as other persons known to be involved in property crime. Investigators are continually looking for information from the public about property related crimes and persons responsible.”
Tips on how to prevent property theft or theft from vehicles can be found on the Prince George RCMP’s website.
Anyone with more information on theft in their community is asked to contact the local detachment at 250-561-3300, anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca.
