RCMP in the Moncton area are advising caution after responding to nearly 100 reports of thefts from vehicles in the month of July.
Codiac Regional say the 97 reported thefts between July 1 and July 28 in Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview made for a “higher than normal” number of complaints.
Police say so far one man has been arrested and charged in connection with some of the thefts.
Police say 42-year-old Michael Daniel “Tinker” Gallant appeared in Moncton provincial court on July 10 to face charges of breach of probation and possession of stolen property.
Gallant was remanded in to custody ahead of his next court appearance on Aug. 7.
According to RCMP, 60 of the 97 reported thefts occurred while the vehicles were unlocked.
The other 37 reported thefts, police say, involved the suspects breaking into a locked car, usually by smashing the window.
In addition to the reported thefts, police say they received 17 calls about suspicious activity in neighbourhoods, such as people hanging around vehicles for no apparent reason.
RCMP are advising vehicle owners to exercise caution.
"Keeping your vehicles locked, even in your driveway, while unattended is a first step toward protecting yourself from becoming a victim of theft," said RCMP Staff Sgt. Eric Larose, adding that valuables should be removed from cars or kept out of sight.
