NORTHEAST — There’s been multiple car thefts in the area over this past weekend.
One theft happened in Nipawin, one in Arborfield and two in Aylsham.
“It kind of seems like an isolated incident from this one weekend and we think they’re all related to a group of individuals for the enjoyment of it,” said Cpl. Josh Martin of the Nipawin RCMP.
The vehicles have been found and are being processed with the forensic crime scene examiners.
There was also a vehicle theft in Melfort but Martin can’t say if it’s connected to the rest at this present time. The vehicle has not yet been found as of Aug. 20.
“I can’t speak for all of them, but we believe that the keys were accessible. Like the windows were not damaged and the ignition was not damaged as well. To be brutally honest, we think the keys were in them.”
Martin wants to use the opportunity to urge people to be diligent, lock their doors and secure their keys.
“I hate to say that the days of leaving our things unlocked are gone, but I think they are behind us,” Martin said. “People need to be diligent to protect themselves and protect their property, just make sure everything is locked up and secured to the best they can.”
The vehicles appeared to be taken for a joy-ride and abandoned, at which point the thieves stole a new one.
“I guess the one thing I wanted to stress, especially to the people of Aylsham and the people of Arborfield who feel like they were victimized this past weekend, these seem to be crimes of opportunity, and I think this isn’t something like a car theft ring or anything like that,” Martin said. “We feel it’s just crime of opportunity and if people were taking the simple stuff of making their vehicle secured it would prevent that auto theft.”
The investigation is ongoing and interviews are being conducted.
“I foresee a positive outcome, just give it some time and we should be able to track down who’s responsible.”
