There has been a rash of thefts from businesses in the area as well as right here in Weyburn
Deputy Chief Shane St. John with the Weyburn Police Service said some are determined to get into even locked gates, such as by cutting a hole in a fence, which was part of an incident last week still under investigation.
Read more: WPS investigating copper theft attempt, Deputy Chief advises owners
He said cameras and witnesses are often key in identifying suspects in these types of crimes.
"Sometimes when we have video and we have that photo, we can put it out there if it's good quality. If we say hey, someone might be able to identify that person, we will make those public on our social media sites as well."
St. John reminded anyone to report anything suspicious.
"They don't have to be with someone. It could be a lone person, especially in the early morning hours, you know, in an area they shouldn't be in and someone even just out for a drive and they notice that, call it in. Call us."
While some thieves do come prepared, which is how bicycles are taken even if they're locked, the majority of these acts are crimes of opportunity.
"We don't see that as much because it's sort of hard walking around with bolt cutters. They just look for that easiest opportunity to take something and if we make that easy for them they'll take advantage of that."
He offered reminders for businesses to protect their properties, such as motion alarms.
"There are guard dogs, of course. That's more of an alert, right? The dog barking alerts others and deters as much as anything," he noted. "Or some sort of alarm going off when someone enters. A sensor, maybe that trips an alarm or trips floodlights that you might have on your back. There are lots of different ways."
"It's just depending on the size of the compound, depending on the business, and where they're going in, I think people are always looking for a way around it."
Read here to find more tips on theft prevention: Theft prevention tips, importance of crime reporting: RCMP