North Van RCMP warn of increase in recent break-ins

Leave it unlocked and thieves will come.

That’s the message from North Vancouver RCMP after noting a recent increase in break-ins to residential garages, sheds and underground parkades.

Thieves have made off with everything from bikes to power tools.

Almost all of the garage break-ins happened overnight.

In several cases, thieves got access to a car parked outside, then used the garage door opener in the car to enter the garage, said Staff Sgt. Doug Trousdell of the North Vancouver detachment.

Break-ins to homes are much less common, and typically occur in the daytime when nobody is home, said Trousdell.

In many cases, homes and garages have been left unlocked, particularly during hot weather.

Neighbourhoods across North Vancouver have been targeted, said police, urging residents not to leave their garages and homes unlocked and not to leave garage door fobs in vehicles parked on the street.

Police added that overall the number of residential break-and-enters is still low compared to the number typically seen pre-pandemic in 2019.