Innisfail RCMP is investigating a recent Penhold ‘car hopping' incident by thieves to steal items from parked motor vehicles.
Cpl. Don Morrish of the Innisfail RCMP said sometime in the early morning hours of Aug. 17 culprits rummaged through a series of cars, stealing a variety of small items that included cash, change, and small electronic devices.
He said this type of crime is known by police as 'car hopping'.
“Thieves commonly work in small groups and travel along streets checking numerous vehicles in one particular area,” said Morrish. “Any unlocked vehicle becomes an easy target and the culprits will search through it, stealing anything of value.”
He said RCMP is encouraging citizens to lock their vehicle doors, remove any items of value, including keys, and report any suspicious activities immediately.
Car thieves pursued
Local police are still pursuing two suspects who committed a ‘gas and dash' in Airdrie and were seen and pursued by police near town but ultimately avoided capture.
Innisfail RCMP Cpl. Don Morrish said at about 4 p.m. on Aug. 19 members of the RCMP's Innisfail Integrated Traffic Unit received notice of a 'gas and dash' complaint that occurred out of Airdrie.
Morrish said members observed the vehicle as it exited the QEII Highway westbound on Highway 54. RCMP attempted to catch up to the vehicle but it turned down a side road and was abandoned in a field near the Anthony Henday Water Treatment Plant, located northwest of Innisfail.
Police searched the area but were unable to locate either of the two occupants of the vehicle.
RCMP said the vehicle was a 2006 black Mercedes and had been reported as stolen out of Red Deer. It was recovered along with a stolen license plate from Rocky Mountain House.
The case is still under investigation. Anyone with any information relevant to the case is asked to contact Innisfail RCMP at 403-227-3342 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
