Sundre RCMP officers are advising residents to lock their vehicles, as several people have reported thefts from their unlocked vehicles over the last few weeks.
The majority of reported incidents have been in the north end of town, and officers believe two youths between the ages of 14 and 17 have been stealing from unlocked vehicles at night.
“You can protect yourself by removing all valuables from your vehicle and locking it,” reported Sundre RCMP Const. Val Dennis.
A post on the Sundre and Area Buy and Sell Facebook page on Sept. 4 attracted several comments from concerned residents, after a number of unlocked vehicles had been entered some time during the night of Sept. 3.
“I went out to my car about 8 a.m. (Sept. 4) and when I looked in I saw all my belongings that were in the glove (box) and centre console strewn all about the seats,” said Leonard Shropshall, who lives on 5th Street NW.
“The passenger side door was left open about an inch. I went over to my truck and it was in the same state of disarray.”
Both vehicles were unlocked and nothing was stolen, he said.
“I do not typically lock my door to my vehicles, just my home. I have lived in Sundre eight years now and have never experienced anything like this before.”
Robyn Dunwoody Logan said there was about $15 stolen from her unlocked vehicle overnight on Sept. 3.
“About 12:30 (a.m.) we heard someone's car alarm going off and that's when we locked our vehicle,” she said.
Another resident living in the northwest end of town, who asked not to be named, said she saw someone trying to get into her vehicle at about 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 3.
However, her vehicle was locked, and she reported the incident to the police immediately.
“I watched one young male walk up to my husband's truck parked on the road in front of the house and didn't think too much of it, until he stopped at the driver's door and was looking in the window with a penlight and clearly tried the door handle, but it was locked,” she said.
“He then was walking towards our vehicle close by in the driveway and looked up and saw me watching him from out the front window and took off.”
Meanwhile, at least four residents reported thefts from their unlocked vehicles while parked on the northeast end of town during the second-last week of August.
“If you observe anyone committing this crime do not confront them, and report it to the police immediately,” said Dennis.
Officers are asking for anyone with any information regarding these incidents to contact the detachment at 403-638-3675 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
