LAKE COUNTRY – Home security video combined with the power of social media might help police put an end to a crime spree in Lake Country.
Recently, numerous vehicles have been broken into late at night with various items being stolen.
“The most common items stolen include credit cards, cash and wallets but have also included notebook computers and other electronics,” says RCMP Cst. Kris Clark.
A handful of loose change was stolen from Marlene Harker’s Jeep Tuesday night.
“I got such a fright, I could hardly breathe.” says Harker. “I was scared because nobody comes down here. We thought we were perfectly safe.”
In another incident, a home security camera caught the culprit in action.
Raegan Black says police weren’t interested in looking at the images so she posted them on a social media website.
“They could have looked at the pictures but I knew social media would spread the word,” says Black. “Lots of people shared it and lots of people talked about how they were victimized the same night, all through the neighbourhood.”
Black and Harker were both contacted by RCMP Wednesday with the officer indicating a tip had put a name to the thief on the surveillance video.
“Somebody called in and said ‘I recognize this guy from the pictures on-line’ and police are going ‘what pictures on line? We didn’t put any out.’ So they ended up getting a hold of me,” says Black
Often with mini crime sprees it’s just one or two culprits doing the crooked deeds.
If that’s the case, and and police can pin it on the man in the video, it could put an end to the spate of vehicle break-ins in Lake Country.
“This is such a beautiful community and everything has been shaken up because of all this,” says Harker. “We need to have our community back again with peace and quiet.”
To prevent becoming a victim, RCMP suggest:
• At home, light your driveway at night. Elsewhere, park in well-lit areas near pedestrian traffic;
• Do not leave any wallets or purses containing personal identification in an unattended vehicle or you could become a victim of identity theft;
• Remove all valuables from plain view even if your car is locked. Take the items with you or secure them in the trunk out of sight;
• Report any suspicious persons or activities near a vehicle in your neighbourhood to police immediately and let the police determine if it’s a crime in progress;
• Always lock your car even at home or in ‘secure’ underground parking.
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