Kelowna police are ramping up efforts to ensure vehicles don’t get broken into or stolen from by releasing a cellphone video of an apparent break in.
In the video, an individual is seen coming out of the passenger door of a black Kia and walking away from the area. A woman is also heard in the background giving details to emergency call takers.
“Police confirmed with the vehicle’s owner that items inside were disturbed, however, nothing appeared to have been taken and no damage was caused,” Cst. Jesse O’Donaghey said.
O’Donaghey said the video is also being made public in hopes of identifying the suspect.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian male and was seen wearing a black sleeveless shirt, black jogging pants, a baseball cap (blue in the front and grey in the back), with a gold chain around his neck and carrying a black backpack.
“This is often a crime of opportunity, so the RCMP is encouraging the public to take that opportunity away by locking your vehicles,” O’Donaghey said.
He said it was on Sunday at around 8 p.m. that a resident in the 500 block of Cawston Avenue in Kelowna saw a suspicious man rummaging through a parked vehicle.
The witness confronted the suspect on camera before the suspect left the scene on foot.
RCMP officers patrolled the area but weren’t able to find the suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cst. Kimberly Ivantiz of the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300, or Crime Stoppers.
READ MORE: Top 5 ways to keep your car safe from break-ins and theft
Police are encouraging residents to post a picture of the “don’t be an easy target” decal on a vehicle window to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using hashtags #Kelowna and #dontbeaneasytarget.
O’Donaghey said those who participate in the social media component of the campaign will be entered to win a $50 certificate to a local restaurant or retailer.
Decals are available at the Kelowna RCMP detachment, the Parkinson Recreation Centre and the Community Policing Office.
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