A string of thefts is prompting Grand Forks RCMP to remind people to be vigilant of unusual activity and secure vehicles and valuables.
A news release stated on April 25 at 10 a.m., officers were called for a report of a 2011 Chevy Camaro was stolen from a home on the 7100 block of Riverside Drive. The theft likely occurred several days prior, but just noticed by the homeowner. This vehicle was found in the pullout at Highway 3 and Nursery Road.
On April 27 at 9:30 a.m., a homeowner in the 6000 block of Nursery Road called to report that the keys to their side by side were taken and the unit was moved, but left on the property.
On April 28, there were three reports of thefts of vehicles or attempted thefts from vehicles. A dark blue 2013 Dodge Caravan was taken from a home at 85th Avenue and Riverside Drive. It was found the following day at 5:42 p.m. near the intersection of 70th Avenue and 19th Street.
Another report came in from the 8000 block of Riverside Drive where a vehicle was broken into and items scattered, but nothing was taken and no damage occurred.
Another report was made by the owner of a property at 78th Avenue off Riverside Drive, where another vehicle was accessed and gone through, but again, nothing was taken and there was no damage.
“A spike in thefts like this is thankfully uncommon in our community but will happen from time to time,” stated Grand Forks RCMP Commander Sergeant Darryl Peppler. “Often it’s the work of one person who goes out and hits several places in one area.”
He added the RCMP wants to remind people they need to lock their vehicles and secure valuables, as it goes a long way in deterring theives.
There are ways people can minimize the possibility of becoming a victim:
- Ensure your vehicles are locked up and valuables are removed. Thieves often look for easy targets, like an unlocked vehicle.
- Security lights around your house are also a great deterrent as it’s easy to hide in the dark, but not the light. Having security cameras, both that are seen and hidden with camera signs on your property also serve not just as a deterrent, but obtaining an image of the suspect will greatly aid the police in identifying them.
- Keep trees and bushes on properties neat and tidy. Overgrown shrubs and bushes can conceal a person hiding or obstruct your or your neighbours view from seeing someone.
These thefts come after Gem Theatre owner Shaun Aquilaine posted on Facebook on April 12, his truck and the vehicles of some of his neighbours on 68th Avenue were broken into. Aquilaine said in comments to the Gazette that not much was taken from his truck accept for a cupful of change from a family member that had died recently. He also found out over the past weekend, after inspecting his truck again, his iPod was also taken, as well as some gum and candy.
He couldn’t say for sure what was taken from his neighbours, but he did say previously a compressor was taken from the truck of a man visiting family. The thefts were reported to police.
This isn’t just about locking up cars, said Aquilaine, it’s also about personal safety. He’s been the victim of two thefts in two years — with a laptop taken from the Gem Theatre last year — but none of it was violent, so far.
His concern is with thefts escalating.
“It was of no real value, but it’s a reminder that perhaps we had a thief who had a minor conscience, but not all will and someone walking in the dark, with a crowbar and if they were to be startled, what could happen? Thats the concern,” he said. “Which one of them is willing to take it to the next level. It seems harmless when its a small pocketful of change, BUT, if I got up for work early-which I do- and he was in there at the time, what would his reaction be?”