Over the past two weeks, there has been a rash of vehicle break-ins all across the Greater Trail Area.
Corporal Darryl Orr from the Trail RCMP says that approximately 12 break-ins have been reported all the way from Genelle to Rossland to Trail and every report has one thing in common.
“The only thing connecting the break-ins are unlocked vehicles,” he said. “That is the only way we can connect them. We figure it is people just being criminals of opportunity, checking for open doors.”
Authorities believe that all the incidents could be caused by the same person or group of people.
“We are still looking into it,” said Cpl. Orr. “But often times with a rash of thefts like this, I suspect is probably a few specific individuals that are going around with a vehicle at night, walking out and going around finding unlocked cars.”
He has one tip for vehicle owners and residents that want to keep their cars and houses sealed: lock up everything.
“We live in a safe community, but you are still going to get people that are breaking into cars,” said Cpl. Orr. “It usually isn’t the locked vehicles that are getting broken into because that is work for the criminals. Most modern vehicles have pretty good anti-theft systems, but if you don’t lock the doors, then you don’t even have that.”
As well as making sure all doors are locked tight, Orr says to make sure there is nothing of value in your vehicle or yard.
“It is like window shopping for criminals when you have an iPad on the front seat or a purse on the floor,” he said. “It is what these guys look for. It is 2015. It is not the 50s anymore with Richie and the Fonz living down the street.
“Lock up everything that you don’t want stolen. If it isn’t, you are almost giving people the opportunity to come into your yard and have a garage sale while you aren’t there.”
