For many people, Christmas is a time to give, but for some people, it provides an opportunity to steal.
Didsbury RCMP officers are advising people to lock their doors as they are expecting an increase in break and enters and thefts this holiday season.
“People should actually start taking precautions – making sure their residences are locked, presents aren't in plain view of people looking in your windows and stuff like that,” said Cpl. Clint Gulash.
“Because that's what people are targeting, especially once people start putting up Christmas trees and presents underneath of it.”
He said rural areas are especially targeted and people also follow UPS and postal truck drivers to steal boxes they deliver outside of residences.
“People have to be vigilant. If they know they ordered something through Amazon or whatever and it doesn't show up, it's probably because it got stolen off their front porch,” he said.
He was a victim of this himself and had a package stolen off his front step last year. A woman from Airdrie was charged in the case.
“They don't know what's in the boxes. They're just following the person and as they drop off stuff at the houses, as soon as they drive away, they run up, grab it and just keep following.”
He said if people purchase items online they should be tracking them and making sure they know the expected delivery date.
He encourages people to report stolen packages to the RCMP detachment as soon as possible.
"That's what people are targeting, especially once people start putting up Christmas trees and presents underneath of it."Cpl. Clint Gulash,Didsbury RCMP
