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Thieves target cars and homes left unlocked in West Van

Unlocked homes and vehicles in West Vancouver are making stealing valuables that much easier for thieves, according to the West Vancouver Police Department.
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Unlocked homes and vehicles in West Vancouver are making stealing valuables that much easier for thieves, according to the West Vancouver Police Department.

Four unlocked homes in West Vancouver had valuables taken from them in the span of one week earlier this month, and over a two-week span 12 unlocked vehicles were targeted by thieves.

West Vancouver Police Department spokesman Const. Jeff Palmer is warning the community to not let their guard down in the summer.

Out of 15 vehicle break-ins in two weeks reported to police, 12 of the vehicles weren’t locked and valuables like wallets and electronic devices were snatched up by thieves.

“The overwhelming majority were unlocked vehicles – it’s a very persistent issue,” Palmer said, calling it an “open and very generous invitation for a thief.”

A slightly less generous invitation is to leave valuables visible in a car, separated by a thin pane of glass, he added. 

The vehicle break-ins were both in people’s driveways and out in the community.

“The best strategy with the lowest risk is you don’t leave valuables in your car if unattended,” Palmer added. If valuables need to be left in the car, to lower the threshold for thieves, it’s best they’re not visible, he added.