More people are driving trucks these days in B.C., and that’s prompted thieves to steal them more often as well.
The RCMP and ICBC kicked off a month-long campaign on Tuesday to crack down on auto crime, announcing that about half of the top 10 vehicles stolen in the province last year were pickup trucks.
The Ford F Series trucks were the most common, with 1,209 stolen around B.C. They were followed by Dodge, GMC, Chevrolet and Toyota trucks. Police said trucks specifically are often stolen to transport other stolen goods.And it’s not just the vehicles being stolen.
RCMP Insp. Brian MacDonald, in charge of the provincial auto crime team IMPACT, said valuables like smartphones, electronics, work tools, credit cards and ID cards are also prime targets.
“Your vehicle is a display case for thieves,” he said. “Don’t make it easy for them.”
Vehicle theft was down almost five per cent last year, police said, 32 vehicles are snatched every day in B.C.
Public Safety Minister Mike Morris urged commuters to remain vigilant.
“Let’s protect the gains we’ve made and don’t rush to leave your truck,” he said. “A final double-check that you’ve locked and have have no valuables in sight can help make sure it will be there safe and sound when you return to pick up your pickup.”Older vehicles are easy targets, MacDonald said, because they are less likely to to have electronic engine immobilizers installed.
But he encouraged all drivers to purchase and use an antitheft device.
50 per cent of stolen vehicles are trucks, but why? Answer: pic.twitter.com/QFdHVV3EYw
— Ashley Wadhwani (@ashwadhwani) March 28, 2017
Mounties also released a top 10 most wanted list, of suspects involved in vehicle thefts across B.C.
This board of top 10 most wanted for crimes related to vehicle theft, from all across #BC: pic.twitter.com/N9yK0jL6J3
— Ashley Wadhwani (@ashwadhwani) March 28, 2017
@ashwadhwaniashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.caLike us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.