Port Moody police are warning residents in several neighbourhoods about an increase in the number of thefts from vehicles this month.
Photograph by: NOW , file
It's a terrible way to start the morning - finding out your car has been the target of thieves.
So Port Moody police are warning residents in several neighbourhoods about an increase in the number of thefts from vehicles this month.
The department has dealt with 30 incidents in the first three weeks of September, including six in one night on Sept. 19 along Alderside Road and Roe Drive.
In those cases, the cars had their windows smashed and items stolen, but the thief was caught on video and police are now trying to identify the suspect. Most of the thefts have been along the St. Johns Street corridor, in Glenayre and College Park.
The thefts all occurred in the morning between 2 and 5 a.m.
Port Moody Police spokesman Const. Luke van Winkel noted the number of thefts from autos has tripled this month compared to September 2011.
"While there is no specific reason why the numbers are up for the month, we are increasing our patrols in the affected areas," he said.
However, Van Winkel also pointed out overall thefts from vehicles in Port moody for the year is down compared to 2011.
Before September, the department had handed 142theft from auto cases in 2012.
The two busiest months for the crime were March and July, which each recorded 28 files.
The police are reminding the public to do their part to protect themselves by not leaving valuables inside a vehicle.
Police are also asking residents to report anything suspicious and to call the non-emergency number 604-461-3456.
