THE North Vancouver RCMP is warning owners of pickup trucks to lock up their tailgates after a spree of thefts.
As of Tuesday, police had received nine reports in the previous 10 days of tailgates stolen within the city and district of North Vancouver.
"(It) truly appears to be a crime of opportunity. .. under the cover of darkness. Because it's so easy to remove these tailgates, it's just an opportunity waiting to happen," said Cpl.
Richard De Jong, spokesman for the North Vancouver RCMP. "Tailgates historically have been very easy to remove. It's just unusual to have that many stolen in such a short time."
De Jong said thieves are targeting newer models, including ones equipped with backup cameras. "Typically tailgates are the first to be damaged and replaced on a pickup," said De Jong. "There is a definite replacement market for all models of tailgates, some of which can cost several thousand dollars if fitted with a backup camera."
Police are advising truck owners to lock their tailgates, park as close to an object or structure to prevent the tailgate from opening and etch the vehicle identification number into the tailgate, which can help prevent its theft in the first place.
"There could be victims out there that haven't reported it to police, so we encourage them as well," said De Jong. "They may know something that would help us in our investigation."
