File Photo.
Police say a recent surge in thefts from vehicles and vehicles being stolen were almost all preventable in the Sidney/North Saanich area.
Sidney/North Saanich RCMP says for the third time this year, the area has been the target of car thieves.
The detachment says in a release the reason for the rash of thefts is because local residents “refuse to heed warnings and ensure their parked vehicles are locked and all items of value are removed.”
“What residents may not understand is the ripple effect this has on other crimes. Thieves use the stolen vehicles to commit crimes in other areas,” said Sidney/North Saanich Commander Staff Sgt. Wayne Conley in a statement.
“People who leave their wallets and bank cards can have their identities compromised, and there have been reports of their cards being used for fraudulent purchases throughout the Island area.”
Investigators say the area has seen 35 thefts from autos and five vehicles were stolen since mid-September, with 30 of those cases involving vehicles confirmed to be unlocked.
Map showing the number of vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles in the Sidney/North Saanich area from September 17 to October 11. Photo courtesy Sidney/North Saanich RCMP.
Five vehicles were broken into with no noticeable damage done, and three of the vehicles stolen had the keys or fobs left either in the car itself or in another unlocked vehicle.
If you have been a victim of a similar crime or have information to these or other crimes, you are asked to call the Sidney/North Saanich detachment or Crime Stoppers.
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