Courtesy: PR RCMP
Peace Regional RCMP request public assistance with stolen vehicles
Peace River, Alta. – Peace Regional RCMP, who service Peace River, Northern Sunrise County, Woodland Cree First Nation, Little Buffalo, Nampa, Marie Reine, Grimshaw, Dixonville, Berwyn, Duncans First Nation and Brownvale, have had a busy first two months of 2024 responding to reports of stolen vehicles or sightings of. In January and February of 2024, stolen vehicle files have occupied almost 3% of our call volume, and more, due to files involving the recovery of these vehicles and responding to sightings.
In January, a total of 18 vehicles and 1 licence plate were stolen in Peace Regional RCMP’s jurisdiction. There were 3 reported attempts to steal a vehicle. Of the 18 vehicles stolen, 11 have been recovered in Peace River, Grimshaw and Fairview.
In February, a total of 19 vehicles were stolen from Peace Regional RCMP’s jurisdiction. There were 4 reported attempts to steal a vehicle. Of the 19 vehicles stolen, 13 have been recovered in Peace River, Nampa, Dixonville and Northern Sunrise County.
The vehicles were a variety of cars, trucks, SUV’s and off-highway vehicles and the overwhelming majority of these vehicles were stolen when owners had left the vehicle turned on with the keys in and then left the vehicle unattended. In addition to these stolen vehicle reports, are many files of items such as wallets, keys, purses, tools and other valuables being taken from vehicles due to doors being left unlocked for extended periods of time.
RCMP have heard, “I just left it for a few minutes,” “I’ve never locked my doors,” “I was only going to be 5 minutes,” and similar phrases for many of these incidents and would like to remind the community to refrain from leaving vehicles running with keys inside, or leaving any valuables inside of your vehicle unattended. It only takes a moment for someone to notice your vehicle turned on and commit a crime of opportunity.
Peace Regional RCMP participates frequently with the LOCK IT OR LOSE IT campaign to bring awareness of auto crime prevention. LOCK IT OR LOSE IT tips include: remove (don’t just hide) tempting items such as cash, wallets, purses, keys, phones, garage door openers and other valuables; close your windows; lock your doors; and don’t leave your vehicle running unattended. Consider including GPS equipped satellite radios to your vehicle or subscribing to a GPS system pre-installed in your vehicle.
These are very preventable crimes and together, the community can work to reduce crimes of opportunity by taking simple steps to protect their vehicles.
The Peace Regional RCMP is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying suspicious vehicles, people, and in helping prevent crimes of opportunity in our community. Anyone with information is asked to please contact the Peace Regional RCMP at 780-624-6611 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8377 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the “P3 Tips” app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
