Thefts from motor vehicles are on the rise, and the Kelowna RCMP are again urging the public to take part in preventing crime in their neighbourhood.

Kelowna RCMP report that the theft from vehicle numbers have actually increased this October 2015, double that of October 2014, from approximately 140 to 290 reported incidents. This is a level greater than June, July, and August of this year, which is very abnormal as we usually see spikes in the summer. The month of October 2015 represents the highest number of theft from motor vehicle incidents in a month since the end of 2012.

Insecure motor vehicles in residential neighbourhoods are very tempting targets for thieves, criminals will often travel into these areas knowing that they are a target rich environment. Purses, wallets, cell phones, iPads, laptop computers and other electronic devices are popular items taken by thieves, subsequently credit and debit card frauds are sometimes later committed.

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A seven (7) week long project, which targeted auto theft, yielded countless recommended Criminal Code charges against several individuals, including the recovery of hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen property.

The project conducted by the Kelowna RCMP Street Enforcement Unit (SEU), which concluded on October 31st, had commenced immediately after information had been received and a number of stolen vehicles were observed on a rural property in the 7000 block of Highway 97 in Peachland.

Since then, RCMP have recovered several vehicles, mainly Ford pick-up trucks, which had been reported to police as stolen in multiple jurisdictions including; Kelowna, Vernon, West Kelowna, Lee Creek, Spallumcheen, Armstrong, Dawson Creek and Calgary Alberta. Police had also recovered a flat deck trailer, a Volvo Skid Steer and a Bobcat.

“In total an overwhelming $240,000 in stolen property was recovered during the project,” says Cst. Jesse O’Donaghey.

Of note on October 31st, investigators located a suspected stolen Ford F350 pick-up truck parked in the driveway of a residence on Mugford Road in Kelowna. Covert surveillance was conducted on the vehicle and a traffic stop attempted. The suspect vehicle failed to stop for police and fled into the Mackenzie Bench area.

Police quickly located the suspect vehicle abandoned in an orchard and a Police Service Dog immediately initiated a track. The male suspect, a 21-year-old West Kelowna man, was located and arrested without incident. He was held in police custody and later released by the Courts on a Recognizance of Bail.

All together against seven (7) accused persons police have recommended thirty two (32) Criminal Code charges including twelve (12) counts of possession of stolen property.