St. Albert RCMP report numerous thefts from vehicles in all areas of St. Albert, and remind residents to lock up their valuables.
As of July 11, there had been 39 such reports – and the vast majority took place overnight from unlocked vehicles.
Of the reported incidents, all areas of the city have been affected but especially the communities of Braeside, Woodlands, Lacombe Park, Forest Lawn, Deer Ridge and Grandin.
Wallets, keys, cell phones, cash, and vehicle documents are among the items stolen. Police assume the thieves are selling them for profit.
“This is a crime of opportunity,” Cpl. Laurel Kading said in a news release. “If we take away the lucrative opportunity, we will wipe out this crime.”
It’s not just motor vehicle thieves are targeting, but the pedal-powered variety as well.
Police report there have been 41 thefts of bicycles in and around St. Albert from July 1-11. This constitutes a sharp rise from the 17 stolen-bike reports from the same period last year.
While some of the thefts are from residences, the majority are the result of thieves cutting the locks from bicycles parked outside schools, large stores and the mall.
Police encourage riders to record their bicycle serial number to help police recover the bike in the event it’s stolen. Riders are encouraged to lock their bikes within their locked garages or sheds if possible.
A St. Albert driver has been charges with assault and dangerous driving following a road-rage incident last Friday.
On July 8 around 9:40 a.m., someone driving a black Kia Sedona van cut off the driver of a Dodge Ram truck near St. Albert Trail and Villeneuve Road. The truck driver then followed the Kia too closely, pulling alongside it and hitting the passenger side of the vehicle.
The drivers got out, and the Ram driver assaulted the Kia driver by poking the person in the chest and shoulder, although no medical attention was required.
Const. M-J Burroughs said in a release that while people make mistakes while driving, but violence is never justified.
“The best solution is to be understanding while driving and to forgive the other drivers on the road,” she said.
Police have issued a call to the public to help locate a missing St. Albert man.
William Ryan Nadeau, 39, was last seen June 23 at the Canadian Tire in Peace River. His family is concerned by his absence and would like to hear from him, as this behaviour is unusual.
He’s described as Caucasian, about 5’10” and 201 lbs., with a bald head and blue eyes. Police believe he may be driving a 1993 black GMC Sierra truck with an Alberta licence plate BTG-2976.
A St. Albert business is reporting vandalism to its patio area that took place some time overnight on July 4.
Someone dumped out four large flower planters and threw the dirt at the windows of a business on Perron Street.
“These type of senseless crimes can be costly and disruptive for business owners and the community,” Burroughs said.
While police did not specify the business in question, Jack’s Burger Shack reported a similar incident on social media.
