Agassiz RCMP released last quarter’s property crime maps for the District of Kent and Harrison Hot Springs and they show an increase of thefts from vehicles in Agassiz and a spike in auto theft in Harrison.
In one example, local police believe the owner of an impounded vehicle broke into an auto repair shop, entered the vehicle and removed its license plates.
Those plates were later located by Abbotsford Police and the matter remains under investigation, according to the RCMP.
“In Agassiz we observed an increase in theft from vehicles in the months leading into the holiday season,” said Sgt. Darren Rennie of the Agassiz police. “In most cases vehicles were left insecure. The police want to remind the public to ensure your vehicles are locked and valuables are out of sight.”
During the summer months RCMP investigated an increase in thefts of motor vehicles in the Harrison Hot Springs area.
They observed a drop in the amount of recovered and stolen vehicles in the 2015 fourth quarter, but police said it is evident the thefts have continued.
In these cases, the police utilized forensic science when a stolen vehicle is recovered.
That evidence has led to police identification of suspects in those stolen vehicles cases and in some instances, charges have been recommended.
“Recently we have received a number of fingerprint hits on the recovered stolen vehicles,” Sgt. Rennie said. “The identified suspects appear to have no link with one another. Where the evidence supports a charge the police are pursuing arrests and criminal charges.”
