Halifax Regional Police is warning citizens after a rash of thefts from vehicles over the last week.

 

As part of our Community Response Model of Policing, our Comstat crime analysts have noted an increase in thefts from vehicles in a number of areas in Halifax and Bedford. Since August 5, police have received 15 reports of vehicle break-ins on the following streets: Arvida Avenue, Armstrong Court, Stratford Way and Transom Drive in Halifax; and Southgate Drive, Oceanview Drive, Horizon Road, Thorndale Terrace, Mary Fenton Court, Bedford Hills Road, Nottingham Street (three incidents) and Rockpoint Court (two incidents) in Bedford. In most cases, the vehicles were left unlocked with valuable objects left in plain sight. In three of the incidents, the suspect(s) used the garage door opener in the vehicle to access the garage, in one case, stealing a bicycle, and in another, drinking beverages and eating food from the garage.

 

Thefts from vehicles are usually crimes of opportunity with visible items tempting would-be thieves. Citizens should remove all items from their vehicles (e.g. global positioning systems (GPS), satellite radios, cell phone chargers or other equipment that appears valuable) and lock the doors upon exiting. If it’s absolutely necessary to leave items in your vehicle, they should be locked in the trunk out of plain sight before arriving at your destination.

 

Citizens who have had items stolen from their vehicles are asked to file a report by calling 902-490-5016. You can also file a report online athttp://www.halifax.ca/Police/OnlineCrimeReporting/OnlineCrimeReporting.php

 

Citizens are encouraged to call police at 902-490-5020 if they observe any suspicious activity in or around parked vehicles. You can also make a report anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or texting a tip – Tip 202 + your message to 274637.

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Source: Media Release