Dozens of North Vancouver residents woke up Friday morning to find the windows of their cars smashed and valuables missing from inside.
Thieves targeted more than 30 vehicles overnight in three distinct neighbourhoods, according to police: Upper Lonsdale, Lynn Valley and East Keith Road. In some cases, the culprits made off with high-priced items, while in others they took little more than loose change.
The North Vancouver RCMP has not yet identified any suspects, but the detachment has beefed up patrols in the areas and its property crime unit is investigating connections between the incidents.
In the past, North Vancouver investigators have said strings of thefts of this type are often the work of a single individual or a group of individuals working together. Typically, the culprits will walk down a street late at night breaking into any car that contains visible cash or valuables. They will then load the loot into a stolen vehicle for transport and sale over town. Thieves are frequently motivated by a drug habit.
Police are using the incident to remind the public once again to lock their cars overnight and not to leave anything of value inside including coins.
Anyone who was targeted in Fridays thefts is asked to contact the North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311.
Follow us on Twitter: @NorthShoreNews
