The Regina Police Service is reminding vehicle owners to make sure to lock up items like garage door openers and spare sets of vehicle keys. Three individuals, two males and female, face numerous charges after a series of offences including two vehicle thefts and a break and enter on November 1, 2010 in the Uplands and Englewood neighbourhoods of North Regina.
On November 1, 2010, just after 4:00 a.m., police were dispatched to Nighthawk Place when a resident of the area saw three individuals running on the street, then observed one person entering his neighbour’s garage and, seconds later, saw his neighbour’s white Ford Explorer backing out of the garage. A phone call, moments later, from the vehicle owner confirmed the vehicle to be stolen. It’s believed at least two suspects left the scene in a red SUV. A police search of the area located three suspects who were subsequently charged; a red Jeep Cherokee was also found abandoned in the area. In the course of this investigation police learned that the owner of the Ford Explorer believed the theft of his vehicle occurred as the result of his having left a garage door opener in his unlocked truck, which was parked on the street. It’s believed the suspects entered the garage, using the door opener, and found keys in the ignition of the unlocked Explorer. In addition, when police called the registered owner of the red Jeep Cherokee, they learned that, prior to the theft of the Jeep, it had been parked in the owner’s garage. A spare set of keys for the Jeep and the garage door opener were missing from the resident’s second vehicle which was parked, unlocked, on the street.
Facing charges in connection with this case are: nineteen year-old Jordan Thomas Lee MCNABB, DOB: 1991-03-21; eighteen year-old Jessica Brandon JOHN, DOB: 1992-05-09; and eighteen year-old Marc Anthony LERAT, DOB: 1992-04-04, all of Regina. MCNABB faces a total of 14 charges including Theft over $5,000, Break and Enter and Evade Police. JOHN and LERAT each face six charges including Theft over $5,000, Break and Enter and Evade Police. JOHN appeared in Provincial Court at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 1, 2010. The other two accused made their first court appearances on these charges in provincial Court at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, November 1, 2010.
The investigation into these events underscores the importance of safeguarding property. If you have a garage and park your vehicle inside, do not leave the vehicle unlocked with keys in the ignition. Do not store spare sets of keys to other family vehicles in an unlocked vehicle. Take appropriate steps to prevent your garage door opener from being stolen. A few moments spent on crime prevention strategies can save property owners considerable money, time and inconvenience.
