SASKATOON – Vehicles, trailers, snowmobiles: all make up over $2-million in thefts over the first nine months of 2014 in the Saskatoon and Battleford regions. Mounties say in most of the thefts, the vehicles have been unlocked with the keys left inside.
The thieves swept a wide path across central Saskatchewan: Warman, Rosthern, Rosetown, the Battlefords, Biggar, Unity, Cut Knife and Maidstone. Battleford RCMP have had 385 stolen vehicles, trailers, ATVs and snowmobiles reported since Jan. 1, with 291 recovered, although not all were the from the detachment’s area.
Mounties say many of the recovered stolen vehicles have been stripped of tires, suspension and drivetrain parts. Officials believe the thieves are reselling these parts, which have significant value.
MORE: A look at car thefts in Canada
The big problem, officials say? Keys left in unlocked vehicles. In some instances, vehicles have been stored in Quonset huts or outbuildings, providing a false sense of security. Mounties say many of the thefts could not have occurred without the keys being present due to key chip technology.
Police are also asking property owners not to confront the thieves. In a recent theft, the owner discovered a theft in progress and was almost run over by the suspects in a vehicle being stolen.
There are steps, police say, that can be taken to help deter thefts. Foremost is to lock up vehicles and remove the ignition keys from the vehicle and the buildings they may be stored in.
Police are also recommending the installation of motion detection sensor lights and to look at installing motion detecting driveway and yard alarms.
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