Crime is rare in Sun Rivers, which is one of the reasons why RCMP say there’s a “strong chance” the culprit in a rash of vehicle break-ins has struck at the golf community before.
“We’re doing some work on it now and hopefully we can find out who it is,” Staff Sgt. Doug Aird said Tuesday.
In the most recent incidents, as with the unsolved crimes from almost a year ago, the thief got into the secured underground garage at 1050 Talasa Crt. and broke into at least 10 vehicles, said Aird.
Side windows were smashed and loose change, sunglasses, USB cables, a laptop, iPods and personal documents taken. Also, a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit with the licence plate 346 SMJ was stolen from the garage, said Aird.
The methods are similar to a series of break-ins that occurred at Talasa last spring. In one night, someone got into the apartment building and took his or her time removing stereos and other items from vehicles, he said.
At the time, a security camera showed a person on a bike ride up to the building. He or she wore a hoodie pulled tight around the head, obscuring their identity. Aird said the culprit got inside and into the underground parkade.
“They are all secured buildings,” he said. “But once you’re in the building, you can get into the parkade.”
The one discrepancy between the crimes is the recent break-ins are of the smash-and-grab variety, he said.
Police hadn’t checked Talasa’s security cameras when The Daily News interviewed Aird on Tuesday afternoon. Talasa’s security cameras aren’t monitored. RCMP have suggested someone be recruited to do so.
Sun Rivers CEO Rick Siemens said it would be too costly to have someone monitor the footage. If a crime happens, the appropriate tape can be pulled.
Siemens said nothing more can be done to make the community safer. The chance of a break-in is no greater at Sun Rivers than anywhere else in town.
For potential suspects, police will look at those with a history of vehicle break-ins who have recently been released from jail. Aird said similar crimes have been reported elsewhere in the city.
Anyone with information is asked to phone Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
