A serial burglar who targeted small businesses in North Vancouver has pleaded guilty to nine charges in court. North Vancouver RCMP recommended the charges after arresting Burnaby-resident Gordon Vincent Gladstone following a string of break and enter offences in North Vancouver, Vancouver and Delta.
Gladstone had committed 11 break-ins in North Van, Delta, White Rock and Vancouver, and was on to his 12th when he was arrested by the North Vancouver RCMP team. A judge has ordered that he be held in prison until January, 2020.
“If you’ve had a break-in to your home or business you know how upsetting it is, said Sgt. Peter DeVries of the North Vancouver RCMP.
“When we take a victim’s report we see how emotional it is. It creates fear and anger, and it really hurts their sense of security. It’s really unfair. That’s one of the reasons we feel so motivated to identify and capture the people who do these kinds of crimes so that we can stop them from hurting people in our community.”
RCMP also want to highlight ways the community can protect themselves from becoming victims of property crimes. Make sure there’s good lighting around your home at night, don’t store large amounts of cash at home, and keep especially valuable jewellery in a lock box at the bank. If that’s not possible, and you store them in a safe at home, find an unusual hiding place. In other words, not the bedroom closet, said Sgt. DeVries.
Additional prevention tips include:
- Conduct a security check of your home to determine possible entry points and any weaknesses they may have.
- Install good locks and always use them.
- Do not leave tell-tale signs that you are away.
If you do go away for an extended period:
- Lock all windows, doors and garage before you leave.
- Leave a radio playing to indicate that someone is home.
- Leave one or two lights on, preferably operated by timers that turn on according to how dark it is.
- Place a hold on your mail and newspaper deliveries.
- Arrange to have someone pick up any newspapers, mail or flyers that are left on your step.
- Leave a key with someone you trust.
- Let a trusted neighbour know you’re going to be away, for how long and where you can be contacted if necessary.
- Arrange to have someone cut the grass or shovel the snow if you plan to be away for several days.
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