North Vancouver RCMP are warning the public about increased auto theft crime in the community. Over the last two weeks, thefts have increased, police caution. North Vancouver RCMP reminds residents to remove all valuables from their vehicles and lock them up. A spike happened in Edgemont, Lower Lonsdale, and Marine Drive corridor. The thefts typically occur between 5 p.m. to midnight.
Anyone who’s been a victim of auto crime knows that although a smashed window is an unwanted inconvenience, knowing someone has rifled through your belongings can feel like a personal violation.
“We are surprised by the things people will leave in their vehicle,” said Corporal Mansoor Sahak of the North Vancouver RCMP. “Often, valuable items such as laptops, iPads and even wallets are left in plain view. Such temptations are exactly what thieves hope to find when they peer inside your vehicle windows or rifle through your centre console.”
A thief will walk down a dark residential street, trying the door handle of every car and looking for an easy way to search for valuables. When temptations such as valuable electronics are left in plain view, there is usually little hesitation to smash a window and make off with items that can be pawned for quick cash. “Tools are also valuable items often stolen by thieves,” explains Sahak. “It can be devastating for a tradesperson to lose their tools. Sometimes, the value of these types of thefts can exceed $5000.”
I caught a Caucasian young man with a strong European accent taking pictures of vehicles on my street. Confronted him as he pretended to drop something beside my vehicle and took a picture of it and then casually moved to the vehicle in front of mine, which was mine as well, and took another picture. He then proceeded to scope out my neighbour’s car and took a picture of it too. His response was I am foreigner and we do this all the time. He said I take photo then send to my friend. I not so kindly responded. Not on my street you don’t and walked away fast. My son took our dog for a walk at around 5am two days later and saw the same person checking door handles
My car window was smashed in a while ago visiting lower Lonsdale for dinner. Then when I went to get repairs done in north van and was parked just partly blocking the sidewalk for 2 minutes while giving the repair center the keys because there was nowhere to park, I got issued a fine. No where to park because of all the motor homes and broken down cars on the street. Not going to visit north van businesses anytime soon!