On Monday, June 9, 2025, the Fort St John RCMP received 7 reports of vehicles being rummaged through after they were left unlocked overnight. Frontline police officers conducted a door-to-door canvass to try to get video surveillance as well as to determine if additional vehicles were entered. Additional files may be created as a result of the canvass.
The Fort St John RCMP want to remind the public that locking their vehicles while unattended is the easiest way to protect your vehicle and your belongings.
Breaking into an unlocked vehicle to steal potential valuables, such as wallets containing money, bank or credit cards and ID, or tablets, laptops and expensive tools is a crime of opportunity, said Corporal Rebecca Bojczuk, Fort St John RCMP. We, the RCMP, are asking the public, please, lock your vehicle any time you leave it unattended.
The loss of bank or credit cards can lead to fraudulent charges to your accounts. The loss of ID can lead to identity fraud. The loss of a garage door opener can lead to an unwanted break and enter. Stolen tablets, laptops and tools may be irreplaceable due to the personal content and the expensive value. Locking your vehicle protects you from more than a pair of sunglasses getting stolen.
The BC Motor Vehicle Act (MVA) contains provisions for issuing the owner of a vehicle a violation ticket for leaving their vehicle unsecure with a penalty amount of $81 (Section 191 (2)(a) MVA).