Thieves targeting Ford trucks, vans, police say

Prince George RCMP are warning of a recent spike in thefts of Ford trucks and vans.

Seven have been reported stolen since July 1 and three remained missing as of Tuesday morning.

“These thefts have occurred at all hours of the day and are mostly from parking lots all over the community,” RCMP said.

“From the BCR Industrial site, to a local pulp mill, to box retail stores and hotels, Ford trucks are being targeted.”

Owners are urged to lock their doors and use an anti-theft device, such as an immobilizer and to report suspicious activity as soon as they see it.

“Checking into suspicious incidents is part of our duties and not a waste of our time. Please call police right away,” RCMP said.

The missing vehicles are:

• A white Ford F-350, with B.C. licence plate JT3436, reported stolen from a Recplace Drive parking lot during the early morning of July 8.

• A grey 2011 Ford F-250 pickup with B.C. licence plate LE2360 and a snowplow attachment reported stolen from a home in the 28000 block of Highway 97 during the late morning of July 12.

• A burgundy 2000 Ford F-350 dually pick-up with B.C. licence plate HR7739 remains missing after it was reported stolen from a Range Road parking lot on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Here’s a closer look at each of the other incidents:

• A 2002 Ford E-250 was reported stolen on July 2 at about 8:30 p.m.

Five days later it was recovered on Quince Street. A generator and bike were located in the van, however neither have been reported stolen.

• A Ford F-350 pickup was reported stolen on July 6 at about 1:30 p.m., also from Great Street in the BCR Industrial site and recovered the next day on Upland Street.

A Honda 6500 generator was in the back of the truck at the time of the theft.

• A 1999 Ford F-450 pickup was reported stolen on July 7 at about 1:30 p.m. from the parking lot of a pulp mill on Landooz Road and recovered in Dome Creek two days later.

Three people were arrested as part of that investigation.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477 or online at www. pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca (English only).

You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property, you could be eligible for a cash reward.