Police say there has been a significant increase in vehicle break-ins around River Heights in the last month.
More than 80 reports have come in, stating that vehicle owners have found their cars unlocked with property removed, or their vehicle windows smashed with property rummaged through or stolen.
Police say on many occasions valuables were left in plain view.
Mavis and Allan Whicker say they had their cars broken into twice in two weeks, first on Halloween, and then on Remembrance Day. Both times, nothing was taken, they said.
Mavis remembers there was fresh snow on the ground on Remembrance Day and when she and her husband went outside early that morning, they could see footprints.
"So we just thought we’d wander around and see where he went and he was back and forth and back and forth, going through yards," said Mavis. "Sometimes he’d walk up to cars and he hadn’t done anything and other times there’d be two vehicles with glass broken and it’s no rhyme or reason to it.”
One River Heights resident says both her and her husband’s car have been broken into twice in the last month. Malissa Magorel says she doesn’t leave valuables in the cars, and that nothing was taken.
“I just want my property to be protected," she said. "I mean, to have it happen at your home is really unnerving. I wasn’t in a parking lot. I wasn’t some random car in some parking lot somewhere. This is my home and it’s just unacceptable.”
Members of the West District Crime Unit are investigating and encourage people city-wide to be diligent regarding property related crime.
Police offer these tips:
· Always try to park in well-lighted and busy areas. This is important for both your personal safety and the protection of your vehicle and its contents.
· All doors should be locked and the windows closed. Never leave the motor running or the key in the ignition, as this is an open invitation to a car thief.
· Do not leave packages or property in plain view inside your vehicle. Keep the vehicle clean and empty of personal items that may attract thieves.
Magorel said she’s had to pay a $200 MPI deductible for damage to each car twice within the last two months, totaling $800. “We intend to take as many measures as we can to prevent this from happening in the future."
Magorel says they’ll now be installing a surveillance system, which their alarm company said costs only $40 per month for the next four years.
Manitoba Public Insurance says stolen items are not covered within the Autopac Policy.
“People can make a claim with their home insurance," Brian Smiley from MPI said in an email statement. "If a window is broken, or door smashed, the customer will open a claim. It would be defined as ‘vandalism.’ On average, there about 12,000 vandalism claims yearly in Manitoba.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Winnipeg Police 204-986-2877 or Crime Stoppers 204-786-TIPS (8477).
