North Vancouver RCMP are looking for a pair of suspects after at least 20 thefts from vehicles occurred overnight in Lynn Valley and Lynn Creek.
Police say two suspects cruised the streets in the area throughout the early morning hours Wednesday checking door handles and helping themselves to anything left in unlocked cars.
Items stolen in the night include phones and laptop computers, wallets and tools, according to Cpl. Richard De Jong. North Vancouver RCMP spokesman.
Police say it’s likely there were many other thefts from auto overnight but they haven’t been noticed or reported yet.
Of the 20 cases reported so far, only one showed signs of forced entry, De Jong said.
Surveillance footage from one of the homes has given police two persons of interests although they haven’t yet been identified, De Jong said.
Investigators say they have recovered a vehicle they believe the thieves may have commandeered for their crime spree – a red, early ’90s panel van, which was reported stolen from the area Wednesday morning. It was found ditched in Burnaby.
Police also recovered a number of items lifted from parked vehicles, which the rightful owners can claim once police have done their forensic analysis.
Investigators are asking the public to report any suspicious activity, such as one or more people walking up or down a neighbour's driveway after dark.
And no one should leave valuables in their vehicles, De Jong added, or leave them unlocked.
“We’re creatures of habit. We get districted. We assume that we’re not going to be a victim and that our neighbourhood won’t be targeted when in fact any neighbourhood in North Vancouver has the potential to be targeted,” he said.
Anyone with information about the thefts-from-auto spree is asked to contact North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
