The Regina Police Service is reminding Regina vehicle owners to practice good crime prevention strategies to prevent theft from auto.
In the past 24 hours, there have been ten incidents of theft from auto reported to the Regina Police Service. These incidents occurred at various times of day throughout the city: three in the North West, two in the North East, one in North Central, two in the South East, one in South West and one in the East. Items stolen vary as well: shovel and tools, wallet and identification, CD, iPod, backpacks, briefcase, beer, camera and a substantial amount of cash. The most consistent factor among these thefts – and the most alarming – is that six of the ten vehicles were not locked and, in a seventh, culprits got into the car via a window that had previously been broken but had not been fixed or properly secured.
Two key crime prevention strategies could have prevented these thefts:
- Remove all valuables from your vehicle.
- Lock your vehicle.
Too often, people make the assumption that a) no one will steal from their vehicles or b) there is nothing worth stealing. In police interviews of suspects who are subsequently charged with theft from auto, the culprits often state that they simply try the doors of vehicles parked on the street and if a door is left unlocked they steal whatever is left inside, even if it is a CD or a handful of change. In other cases, even if the vehicle is locked but something of value is left in plain view, the suspects will smash a window to commit the theft.
In many cases, theft from auto is easily preventable. Always take your valuables from the vehicle; lock the doors and report any suspicious activity to police. If you see a crime in progress call 9-1-1; keep yourself safe, but try to get a description of suspects or suspect vehicles.