When it comes to vehicle thefts and thefts from vehicles thieves like easy targets.
Nanaimo RCMP crime statistics for May show thieves were busy breaking into vehicles across Nanaimo throughout the month. They also show more than 50 per cent of thefts were made from cars and trucks that were left unlocked by theirs owners.
Culprits also have favourite areas they like to work in. In May, 60 per cent of the 16 thefts from vehicles happened in South Nanaimo. Those 16 thefts from cars and trucks represent a 16-per cent increase over May 2010 statistics.
Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said police can target problem areas, but cannot do anything about people who do not lock their cars.
Fourteen vehicles were stolen in May, an 82 per cent jump from the same period last year. Most of those happened in south and central Nanaimo and included a spike in thefts of dirt bikes stolen from garages attached to homes.
Police said the dirt bike thefts were possibly committed by several people who had a buyer for them.
Crime overall in Nanaimo is down. Statistics for April, 2011, show a three per cent drop or 1963 crimes reported, compared to 2029 crimes reported for April 2010. There were 2115 crimes reported in April, 2009.
O’Brien credits less crime to pro-active crime reductions and prevention programs, effective enforcement and citizen involvement.
Anyone with any information about any crimes is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.