Vancouver theft from cars spikes nearly 40 per cent over last year
Posted April 24, 2018 1:17 pm.
Last Updated April 24, 2018 2:46 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Police are out with another warning not to keep anything in your car, as they announce a spike in thefts from cars.
In the first three months of 2018, Vancouver Police say was nearly a 40 per cent increase in theft compared to the same time period last year.
The VPD is reminding you to take precautions when locking up their valuables in their car.
“We’re reminding people to do that, but that’s really obvious.” says Sergeant Jason Robillard. “Even if you think it’s not expensive or valuable to you, it might just be a little bit of loose change. That is enough for somebody to break a window and steal just 50 cents and it costs you the repair and hassle of fixing the window.”
According to Robillard, smashing and grabbing is the most common way thieves steal your stuff, but it’s all dependant on the make and model of the car.
Currently, there is no particular time of day being singled out and Robillard says this issue is bigger than just one neighbourhood.
“There are obviously some hotspots in the downtown core, where more people park. We didn’t want to single any one particular area out. It’s a city-wide problem.”
The bait car program was also mentioned by Robillard, noting it has been helpful in catching criminals and preventing crime.
Vancouver Police are also encouraging the use of GeoDash, an interactive mapping tool meant to help increase community awarness of policing activity in the city.
The VPD says in December, more than 25 suspects were arrested and more than 80 charges related to thefts from cars were recommended.
