Police are warning locals in the Slocan Valley to lock their vehicles after a brazen attempted theft earlier this month.
RCMP say on Feb. 9 at about 1 a.m., Slocan Lake RCMP responded to the area of Rosebery, north of New Denver, upon hearing of a vehicle theft in progress.
At least two unidentified suspects had entered the residential area in a stolen black diesel crew cab Ford F350 with a large brushed aluminum bumper, and allegedly gained access to white Ford F350 parked at a residence.
The owners of the vehicle were alerted and set out to intervene in the theft.
“The suspects rammed the complainant’s vehicle that they had blocked in and fled the area leaving behind the white Ford F350 they had attempted to steal,” the head of the RCMP detachment, Cpl. Jaime Moffat, says. “The suspect’s black Ford F350 suffered damage to the passenger side front end and fled on Highway 6.”
Two days later the black Ford F350 was located abandoned in the parking lot of the Leland Hotel in Nakusp.
A police investigation determined that it had been reported stolen out of Alberta.
Police believe the suspects were driving through the area looking for vehicles that may have been left insecure.
The investigation is ongoing, and being led by Slocan Lake RCMP.
“Slocan Lake and Nakusp RCMP wish to remind residents to secure their property by ensuring their vehicles and homes are locked,” says Cst. Terry Smith of the Slocan Lake RCMP. “The RCMP is also requesting that the public report suspicious activities to the police in effort to help stop property crimes.”
The Slocan Lake and Nakusp RCMP are looking for any witnesses that may have observed a truck matching the description of the black Ford F350 in the area or its occupants.
If you have any information please contact the Slocan Lake RCMP at 250-358-2222 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
