Auto Theft Advisory Issued for Williams Lake

By 250 News

While Prince George  is now the focus of the IMPACT   auto crime team, there has been an advisory issued in Williams Lake.

In that community, more than three dozen vehicles have been stolen  or have  been the subject of an attempted theft, since the first of July.

Trucks and SUV’s without anti-theft devices  are the favourite for thieves with  older GM and Chevrolet models appearing to be  at an even greater risk. 

Although the majority of stolen vehicles are eventually recovered, the cost to owners and the community is frustrating.  “We see some of these trucks with damage in the tens of thousands of dollars, and it’s a big inconvenience for the owners,” said ICBC Loss Prevention manager, Dave Dickson.  “But the worst part is the actions of the thieves.  They have no regard for the owners, police or innocent drivers and pedestrians.”

Dickson says it only takes an investment of a couple hundred dollars to make any vehicle virtually theft-proof.  “Install an immobilizer, or at the very least, use a steering wheel lock.  Always lock your doors and leave nothing of value in your vehicle.”

Electronic immobilizers automatically shut off parts of a vehicle’s electrical system, making the vehicle nearly impossible to start unless the correct key or electronic device is present.  They are so effective that the federal government is requiring all new vehicles sold after October 2007 to have one.  Having one could mean a discount or rebate on your insurance.

Last week, Solicitor General John Les was in Prince George to announce the arrival of the Integrated Municipal Provincial Auto Crime Team.  ( see Battling Auto Crime)They have several bait vehicles, a helicopter, and access to a system that can process license plate numbers in a flash.  Within hours of the announcement of the team being in Prince George, one person was arrested for stealing a bait vehicle.

The program was sent to Prince George in an effort to stem the increase in auto crime in the City.  While the rest of the Province is seeing auto crime and auto thefts drop, Prince George saw a 17% increase in auto thefts the first four months of this year, and Williams Lake also  had a significant increase.

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