Trail police are asking for tips to help identify two women suspected to be connected to a recent purse theft and a $3,900 fraud in the Trail and Rossland area.
Police report that the vehicle associated with these two women is a 2004 Suzuki Grand Vitara bearing BC licence plate TR0 54A.
Trail RCMP continue to investigate these crimes and possible links to other thefts from motor vehicles parked in lots on Highway 3B, near Rossland.
Anyone with information that can help identify the women is asked to call the Trail detachment at 250.364.2566 to speak to an investigator.
Original story:
Trail RCMP: Vehicle smash-and-grabs on the rise
Trail and Greater District RCMP are warning locals about an uptick of rural vehicle break-ins after three parked vehicles were targeted last week, two at the Strawberry Pass parking lot and one at Nancy Greene Provincial Park.
RCMP report that the afternoon of Wednesday, Jan. 24, the detachment received a complaint of a smash-and-grab to a vehicle parked in the lot of Nancy Greene Provincial Park along Highway 3B, 36-km northwest of Rossland.
“The owner had been hiking in the area and when she returned to her vehicle, she discovered that her vehicle window had been smashed,” Cpl. James Grady reported Tuesday.
“The suspect(s) stole her wallet, bank cards, and identification then used her bank cards to purchase $300 worth of items.”
Then Friday, Jan. 26, the culprit or culprits struck again.
That afternoon within 20 minutes, Trail RCMP received reports of smash-and-grabs to two different vehicles parked in the lot at Strawberry Pass along the highway near Rossland.
Police say the first owner had been cross-country skiing and when she returned to her vehicle, she discovered that her window has been smashed. The suspect(s) allegedly stole documents and items valued around $600.
The owner of the other vehicle had been hiking as well, and upon return, she found the window of her vehicle had been smashed.
“The suspect(s) stole her wallet, bank cards, and identification then used her bank cards to purchase $3,900 worth of items,” Grandy reported.
These thefts are under investigation by the Trail RCMP.
To help deter thieves and theft, police have issued the following tips:
• Be aware that most items stolen from vehicles include smartphones, personal electronics, tools, credit cards and identification, stereos, cash, car parts and accessories, sunglasses and keys.
• Never leave your keys unguarded.
• Park in secure, well-lit areas whenever possible.
• Remove valuables from vehicles.
• Keep your garage door opener out of sight, or better yet, with you.
• Use a vehicle immobilizer or steering wheel lock. New vehicles should have an immobilizer installed already.
• Do not store a spare key in or on your vehicle.
• Vehicle alarms will draw attention and help scare off thieves.