POLICE are warning homebuilders to be on the alert after thieves broke into a pair of West Vancouver construction sites and made off with tens of thousands of dollars in tools.
Victims arrived at a site in the 500-block of Craigmohr Drive at about 9.a.m. Monday April 2 to find some $25,000 worth of portable equipment, including saws, drills and other handheld tools had vanished. There were no signs of forced entry, according to police, and a forensics team that combed over the site later failed to turn up any clues.
At about 1 p.m. the same day, investigators were called to a second home under construction in the 100-block of Bonnymuir Drive, just a few blocks from the site of the first burglary, when the owners found someone had ransacked the property. The culprits had reportedly rifled through the residence overnight, stealing more tools, as well as luggage and clothing. Again, there were no signs of forced entry, according to police, and forensics came up negative. No arrests have been made.
The incidents have prompted the WVPD to remind workers in construction trades to take steps to protect their property at worksites. That includes using lock boxes, recording equipment serial numbers, and engraving tools with a name and phone number.
