Saanich Police have seen a huge spike in theft from autos over the last couple of weeks.
Acting Sgt. Jereme Leslie said the spike might be due to a lack of diligence from car owners.
“It might be that people leave windows open on a sunny day, thinking, I’m going to get back in the car in an hour, I don’t want it to be hot, and then forget the window, and it creates a crime of opportunity,” he said.
Most of the cases reported are from unlocked cars, Leslie added.
“We want to remind people to lock the car doors and roll the windows up.”
Most of the stolen goods reported are sunglasses, small electronics, loose change, and in a few circumstances, larger electronics that have been left in the car.
Areas that have been worst hit are north Cordova Ridge, Gorge-Tillicum, Cook and Maplewood, and a spattering along McKenzie as well as the rural neighbourhood along West Saanich Road.
“Being out on West Saanich Road doesn’t make one immune to crime,” Leslie said.
Teens gather for fight at Lambrick Park
Saanich Police responded to a call that members from a large group of youth were fighting at 11 p.m. Saturday on the grounds of Lambrick Park secondary.
A number of people fled the scene but about 15 youth, aged 18 to 20, remained when the officers showed up to the school.
“We had a report that a group of individuals that showed up for a physical fight, and are recommending one assault charge at this point,” said Leslie.
Some of the youth were known to police. None were forthcoming with information, Leslie added.