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Fall is prime time for break and enters

RCMP offers tips and suggestions for theft prevention
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In the last week, Rimbey RCMP responded to 48 calls for service. These files include, but are not limited to: seven suspicious person/vehicle complaints; five traffic collisions; one assault file; and seven theft related occurrences.

On October 28, 2019 at approximately 1:15 while on patrol an officer queried a licence plate on a passing vehicle. The plate on that vehicle had been reported stolen back in June to Blackfalds RCMP. The officer followed the vehicle to a nearby gas station and initiated a traffic stop. Throughout the interaction with the driver the officer could smell a strong odor of alcohol. The driver provided a sample which resulted in a “caution” therefore he received a 30-day suspension and vehicle seizure, and was also found to have been driving while suspended. The male is to attend court in Rimbey on December 6, 2019 for charges of possession of property obtained by crime under $5000, driving while prohibited, and drive uninsured motor vehicle on highway. The driver has four previous convictions for impaired driving and one previous conviction for possession of stolen property.

For anyone who owns a seasonal property please keep the following in mind.

Stats:

• October is the leading month for break and enters to seasonal properties. It’s been the highest month for two years in a row (2017 and 2018).

• May, 2018 was the second highest month for break and enters to seasonal properties. This is because many of the break ins occur during the winter months, but people don’t report them until they reopen their cabins in the spring.

• In 2018 there were over 550 break and enters to seasonal properties and there were 70 in October.

Key Messages:

• Remember CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles while winterizing your seasonal property

• Bring home valuables over the winter

• Install outdoor motion sensor lights and timers for indoor

lights

• Lock and secure doors and windows

• We all have a part to play in preventing crimes, and simple

changes can reduce the risk of break and enters

If you have information on this or any other crime, contact your local RCMP Detachment at 403-843-2224 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Crime Stoppers can also be contacted online at www.P3tips.com, or you can download the P3 Tips app for Android or Apple on your smart phone. You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a cash award.