Over the past few weeks, local RCMP has noticed a “significant increase” in the number of break-ins and attempted break-ins in Bonnyville and they are encouraging local businesses and residents to do “everything they can” to try and assist in alleviating the issue.
After Pharmasave and the Bonnyville Laundromat were hit by thieves earlier this month, Nelson Lumber and Home Hardware were targeted last week in what police say “may or may not be” related incidents.
In the early morning of Sept. 12 Bonnyville RCMP responded to an alarm at the Bonnyville Pharmasave and upon arrival found the back door to the store open. According to an RCMP police report, entry was gained and parts of the premises had been damaged. Entry was also gained to the Laundromat through one of the interior walls and money was stolen.
Shortly after midnight Sept. 15, police received a complaint from Nelson Lumber reporting a break and enter had occurred at their business overnight. According to RCMP, over $10,000 in damage was done to the building and thousands of dollars worth of tools had been stolen. Later that night, RCMP responded to an attempted break in at Home Hardware but found only minor damage to the front and back doors of the business upon arrival.
Speaking to the Nouvelle last week, Bonnyville RCMP Cst. Laura Carroll said that while the growing rate of attempted break-ins in town was a concern, police officials believe there are steps people could be taking to avoid them.
“Obviously, the fact that we're seeing increased rates in breaking and entering incidents is a very big concern, however we're noticing, because this is a small town, that businesses and residents are not being as vigilant with their security as they should be, and that's a big concern for us too,” Carroll said. Local businesses should be ensuring their security systems are “up to date and working properly” while regularly checking video surveillance tapes so as to look out for any suspicious activity that could prevent an incident.
With Bonnyville also seeing a massive increase in the number of motor vehicle thefts in recent months, Carroll said the same message should be passed along to local residents.
“The thing we're seeing from thefts from vehicles where people's items are being stolen is that the vehicles themselves are being left unlocked,” Carroll said. “This is the second rural detachment I've worked at now and this is a typical small-town Alberta problem.”
She added, “The problem with this type of crime is, because people are leaving their cars unlocked, it's a very easy crime to commit and a very hard one (to solve).
We're urging all of our residents to lock their vehicles at all times and that will directly lead to a decrease in crime in that area.”
RCMP are still looking for information relating to the incidents at Bonnyville Pharmasave, Nelson Lumber and Home Hardware and encourage anybody with any information to contact police at 780-343-7200.
After a lengthy investigation, Bonnyville RCMP have arrested a 36-year-old female from Kehewin, a 19-year-old male from Fort McKay and three youth residing in the area, all in relation to multiple vehicle and ATV thefts in the Lakeland area.
All individuals charged are being held in custody awaiting trial. According to RCMP, the arrests conclude 14 outstanding theft and mischief files.
