Bowen RCMP is reminding Islanders to lock their cars and their belongings after two reported thefts over the weekend.
Friday evening a vehicle was stolen from a Connolly Road driveway and was located on Roocroft Lane above Artisan Square. RCMP say that the vehicle had been involved in a minor hit and run (it scraped a parked car.)
That same evening, another vehicle in a driveway in the Bowen Bay area was broken into, a bag, drawing tools, some toiletries and a MacBook stolen.
Bowen RCMP Cpl. Paulo Arreaga said that the thefts are linked as at least one item (not the MacBook) was recovered in the stolen vehicle.
While RCMP doesn’t know who stole the vehicle, forensic identification services did come over to check it for prints.
Arreaga says that this is likely someone on Bowen temporarily but who knows the island and its weaknesses.
Arreaga says that while vehicle theft on Bowen is a rare occurrence, it’s not unheard of.
“It’s been happening ever since there’s been vehicles on Bowen,” he said. “The reason it does happen is because people leave their vehicles unlocked.”
Precautions include not leaving keys in the car and not leaving valuables in the open.
“I know it’s nice to feel safe and secure,” he said, “but part of that is being safe by securing your things.”
Arreaga says that according to RCMP statistics, since 2012 there have been around 13 reported, though not confirmed, vehicle thefts.
Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact Bowen RCMP at 604-947-0516.
