The old board game adage, “go straight to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $200”, could be used as a mantra for the Comox Valley RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, the past few weeks. The Comox Valley area saw a large spike in theft from and theft of vehicles, starting mid-June and lasting until last week. As a result of investigation and several sections of the Comox Valley RCMP working together, a suspect was identified and a youth was arrested on July 6th by the Crime Reduction Unit.
The Comox Valley RCMP Crime Reduction unit, is a specialized unit for identifying and targeting prolific offenders. A prolific offender is defined as a person who continues to re-offend, regardless of what consequences they could face. It is common for a prolific offender to start to re-offend shortly after being released from custody. Using crime statistics from reported crime, these offenders can be tracked. The Crime Reduction unit uses this information, along with a flexible schedule and other techniques to zero in on an offender and, with their arrest, goes an immediate, noticeable decrease in these crimes.
Even while the echo of the jail cell door still rang in the Detachment halls, last week, further reports of vehicle thefts were being called in to the local RCMP Detachment. Once again, it appeared that a different prolific offender had taken over where the other left off. Within a few days, a second stolen vehicle was recovered and two more persons arrested.
Between the dates of June 1st, and July 12th, the Comox Valley RCMP received 73 calls regarding theft from vehicles and 14 thefts of vehicles. All the stolen vehicles have been recovered, with the exception of a 2007 White Dodge 2500 crew cab pickup, with British Columbia Plate number DA7195. This is a work truck with “Cross Country Carpentry” and phone numbers on the doors, and a silver checker plated dry box in the box. If you see this vehicle, please contact your local RCMP detachment or you can report the information using Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) and you can remain anonymous.
The Comox Valley RCMP would like to remind everyone to keep vehicle doors locked while unattended at all times. Do not leave valuables, ID or the keys for vehicles in unlocked vehicles, or in the open, making it easy for these types of thefts.
Cst Rob Gardner
Comox Valley RCMP
250-338-1321
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