Police have no suspects after a rash of thefts took place over the Thanksgiving weekend.
The long weekend kept police on their toes with nine thefts from vehicles, seven vehicle thefts and three break and enters.
One vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee, was found a mere six blocks away shortly after it went missing. Since the weekend, four other vehicles were found abandoned throughout the region.
A stolen Ford F150 truck was recovered abandoned in Mayerthorpe with the licence plate missing. Edmonton police found a Ford F350 abandoned on Tuesday.
“To ditch it and steal another vehicle wouldn’t be uncommon, depending on what their purpose is for stealing it,” Const. Beth McIntosh said. “If they are stealing the vehicle to commit another crime – switching plates and switching vehicles – to throw people off the track.”
A white 2009 Tacoma pickup and a black 1995 Honda Civic are still missing.
In one instance of vehicle theft last weekend, the keys were left inside.
Along with vehicle thefts, thefts of items inside of vehicles also spiked. In most instances the vehicles were left unlocked.
“If you’ve left the vehicle unlocked you are inviting that grief unfortunately,” McIntosh said. “We have that crime of opportunity.”
Police say that typically thieves will be out targeting unlocked vehicles and rummaging through them to see if there is anything worth stealing. If the door is locked they will move on to the next vehicle. Police say they will typically not waste their time on a locked vehicle.
The police can’t say they are seeing an increase in property crime overall, but this past weekend was “certainly out of the norm.”
Anyone with information about these or any other crimes is asked to contact St. Albert RCMP at 780-458-7700 or the Morinville RCMP at 780-939-4550. Anonymous tips can be provided to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at www.tipsubmit.com.
