Large number of vehicle thefts being investigated

A rash of vehicle thefts are being investigated.

Early last month an ATV was stolen out of a shed in Sheffield Mills. The keys had been left in it.

Community policing officer Const. Kelli Gaudet said the dark green 2002 Kawasaki was driven through a field and loaded onto a vehicle.

Also, a 911 caller reported a blue Dodge truck stolen from the Scotian Gold parking lot in Coldbrook. Later a report of it being on fire was received. A 2015 Honda Civic was stolen overnight June 9 in Berwick. The owner had the keys. On June 10 a burned gray Jetta was reported on the rail trail.

Police are investigating all of these incidents, Gaudet said.

RCMP in Nova Scotia are encouraging vehicle owners to not be hospitable to thieves. During the past three months, RCMP have responded to more than 60 reports of vehicles stolen from homes or businesses.

Although many of the reported stolen vehicles were recovered, almost half of the vehicles confirmed to have be stolen had the car keys in them. For thieves to find an unlocked vehicle with loose change, cellphones, a wallet and keys to the vehicle is like Christmas morning for them.

RCMP are asking people to make that extra effort to avoid being a victim of crime and take the keys with you when you get out of your vehicle.

Anyone with information about auto thefts is asked to contact your local Police Agency. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can also contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or text TIP202 + your message to ‘CRIMES’ (274637) or submit tips by Secure Web Tips at www. crimestoppers.ns.ca. Calls to Crime Stoppers are not taped or traced and if police make an arrest and lay charges based on a tip, callers qualify for a cash award.