NORTH PERTH – The Perth County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding residents to “Lock It or Lose It” after a string of thefts from unlocked vehicles in the southeast and southwest quadrants of Listowel last week.
On Thursday, Jan. 20 at approximately 2 a.m., police received a report of two male suspects entering unlocked vehicles in the area of Krotz Street East in Listowel. When police arrived on scene, it was determined that the suspects had attended 70 residences, checking vehicle doors, and had entered 16 that had been left unlocked. At one residence, the suspects had entered an open garage in the area.
At a rate of almost 25 per cent of vehicles left unlocked in the area, the Perth County OPP would like to take this opportunity to remind residents to continue to take preventative measures to stop these crimes. None of the locked vehicles were entered.
The investigation is ongoing, but the Perth County OPP would like to speak with anyone who may have video surveillance in the area or who had items stolen from their vehicle or residence.
Additionally, the Perth County OPP would like to remind citizens to not only keep all vehicles and buildings locked, but also report any suspicious activity immediately, and consider installing security features, such as increased lighting, cameras, or alarms.
“Crime prevention is critical to community safety,” commented Perth County Detachment Commander, A/Insp. Wendy Burrow. “Thefts from vehicles are often crimes of opportunity with people targeting unlocked vehicles. We ask for your help by securing your homes, businesses, outbuildings, and vehicles. Together we can help prevent these types of crimes.”
