The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) is warning residents to keep their keys close. A cold weather crime spree may be on the horizon, as auto thieves take advantage of winter’s arrival.
Just take it from Adam Auger who says he was left absolutely stunned last month after leaving the big city to live in Colonsay, Sask., in the hopes of get away from crime.
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Over the course of four years, his truck was broken into four times in four different Saskatoon neighbourhoods. It turns out small town Saskatchewan is no different after thieves waited for the perfect opportunity to strike.
“A month ago my vehicle was stolen right out of my yard while I was 30 feet away from it and my wife and I were unloading it,” Auger said.
“There were still ladders on the ladder rack when they waited until we both had left the vehicle at the same time. Yes, the keys were in it, we had the hatch open unloading tools and groceries.”
Their 2005 GMC Envoy – gone.
It was stolen on Oct. 11 and Auger said that’s the last the couple heard of it until exactly two weeks later. Police had recovered the vehicle during a traffic stop more than 1,400 kilometres away just north of Thunder Bay, Ont.
“It belonged to my elderly father – thank goodness I’m getting it back,” Auger said.
“I don’t know what shape it’s in yet, it hasn’t got back here but SGI and I will inspect it when it gets back.”
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While this case was pretty gutsy, motor vehicle theft is nothing new.
Here are the numbers provided from Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) to Global News:
- Jan. 1 – Oct. 31: 3,181 auto thefts;
- 2015: 3,032; and
- 2014: 2,733.
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In Saskatoon alone – at least two vehicles a day are stolen off city streets. According to the SPS, 1,007 auto thefts have been reported to police since Jan. 1.
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Auger is now calling on police to stop these predators in their tracks.
“It starts out with stealing stereos and GPSs out of vehicles and it goes to stealing cars,” Auger said.
“If they don’t investigate the small crimes then those little criminals grow up to be bigger criminals.”
Police say there are things the public can do to avoid becoming a victim. Don’t leave items in plain sight and always take your keys with you. In Saskatchewan, seven out of 10 times a vehicle was stolen, the keys were left inside.