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Thieves target Agassiz cars

Over 10 vehicle break-ins this week
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A string of vehicle break-ins around Agassiz over the past week have police and locals on high alert.

Over 10 break-ins have been reported to RCMP so far, mainly from Heath Road and Vimy Road neighbourhoods. According to Agassiz RCMP, most of the vehicles targeted were unlocked.

“These are crimes of opportunity in which the culprits simply walk from car to car and try to open the doors,” said Cpl. David Skretting. “When they find an unlocked vehicle, they enter and look for anything that could be of value.”

Some victims told the Observer their vehicles were only rifled through, others are missing valuables, in one case a guitar amp was stolen.

Natalie Aungier lives in a strata off Heath Road and said her husband’s license as well as the vehicle’s insurance papers were stolen out of her family’s locked vehicle –nothing irreplaceable, but the theft is still rattling for her family of six.

“You hope that they won’t break into the house and that they’re just car thieves, but really, it is kind of worrying,” she said. “We’ve got four little kids [and] besides what they’ve taken out of the car it’s just not very nice knowing that someone was right outside your door, doing something they shouldn’t be doing.”

“It would be great to start a neighbourhood watch, but really, who wants to go out there at two o clock in the morning?”

Agassiz RCMP are reminding everyone to lock their vehicles and store valuables elsewhere whenever possible.

“If you must leave something of value in your vehicle, keep it out of view or lock it in the trunk,” reads a media release. “Be alert and aware of what is happening in your neighbourhood.”

The RCMP will be ramping up patrols in the area and remind the public to report suspicious behaviour by contacting Agassiz RCMP at (604) 796-2211. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.