Storage area thefts being investigated by Coaldale, Picture Butte RCMP

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Sunny South News

By Nikki Jamieson
Sunny South News

A series of thefts from storage areas have the RCMP reminding owners secure their valuables.

The thefts, which started occurring earlier this month, have mainly targeted recreation vehicles and trailers being stored for the winter months.

“This past week, ourselves and the Picture Butte RCMP detachment have been getting several reports, usually in the morning when people discover stuff missing,” said Staff Sgt. Glenn Henry. “Unfortunately, it appears that people are storing their RVs and their trailers, and no one checks on them until something happens, and then we get a rash of them reported to us.”

The thefts are currently under investigation. Damage done to the vehicles have ranged from general mischief in breaking in and causing damage to the vehicles, to random items being stolen.

“It could be money, it could be liquor, it could be appliances, it could be anything that people leave behind that’s of high value,” said Henry.

“We’ve had some in the Hills area, we’ve had some in the Broxburn area, there’s been some up in Picture Butte, so, there’s been no reason, no rhyme and reason to why they’re happening, but we want people to be aware that these thefts are happening, and to ensure they’re not keeping high value items within their RV, and to beware this type of theft does happen.”

In addition to not keeping high-value items in their RV, Henry advised that people ensure they store their vehicle in a place with video surveillance and high security measures, to help prevent thefts.

“They just have to remember that these RVs and trailers are quite expensive, and people are breaking in. So, they’ll want to, based on wanting to protect their property, they may have to ask for higher security measures, or store them in places with higher level of security.”