A wave of break-ins across the Prince George area is causing police investigators to house-hop and crime analysts to crunch data.
More than 25 files have been opened since the start of the Easter weekend, and most of it could be the work of a few prolific crooks.
"We have reason to believe it is a small group of people involved," said Prince George RCMP spokesman Cpl. Craig Douglass. "We go through these episodes every once in a while. We had a rash of car thefts a little while back, but once we caught up to a few of the suspects the whole wave calmed down. The numbers can really drop off with only a few arrests, so that is what we are working on now."
Property crime -- home break-ins, stolen vehicles, various thievery -- has a special unit at the Prince George RCMP detachment. The Crime Reduction Team is focused on prolific offenders due to the large-scale damage those relatively few people can do.
The Crime Reduction Team works closely with the General Duty members and, not by coincidence, the city's drug officers.
"Almost all property crimes are fueled by drugs," Douglass explained. "Just like almost all violence is fueled by drugs, and particularly alcohol. Property crime is done to feed someone's addiction. They are grabbing things to sell cheaply and quickly so they can afford their next hit of drugs or pay off a drug debt they've accumulated."
There are patterns in this recent rash of break-ins to houses and vehicles that lead police to believe it is largely the effect of a few key individuals, not an overall upsurge in criminal activity.
The sooner they can catch some of these suspects, the faster the damage to homes and vehicles will calm down, said Douglass. Public information and neighbourhood vigilance is key to that.
Here are some of the highlight incidents in the crime wave. For a bigger list, look up this story on www.pgcitizen.ca and see Wednesday's coverage of a jewelry store break-in at Spruceland Mall.
Owner leaves car running for thief
Saturday, 3:30 a.m.
100 block of South Tabor Boulevard
"The owner of a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier left the vehicle running and unoccupied in a driveway," said Douglass. "The owner returned to the vehicle as it was driving away. The owner attempted to locate the vehicle before calling police nearly eight hours later."
The vehicle was recovered by police on Monday at 2:26 a.m. along the 1600 block of Queensway.
Thief hits home and vehicle
Sunday, 12:18 a.m.
3700 block of Shane Crescent
"Officers attended the scene and found a window had been pried open and many valuables taken," said Douglass. "The unknown person or persons stole two large screen TV's, two laptop computers, two iPods, jewelry, food, liquor, bags and a small wagon. Property stolen is estimated to be worth over $5,000.
"Further, a vehicle belonging to the home owner had it's window smashed while parked on the street."
Eagle has landed in thieves' hands
Monday, 10:08 p.m. (reported)
6800 block of Westgate Avenue
"The break-and-enter occurred sometime after April 23," Douglass said. "A unique First Nations carved eagle and talon bracelet made of white gold and inscribed with 'Katelyn' was taken along with other jewelry. A Samsung laptop computer was also taken."
Anyone with information about these criminal offenses or who may be responsible is asked to contact the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or their website at www.pgrimestoppers.bc.ca.
On April 22 at 4:19 pm, Prince George RCMP received a report of a burnt vehicle on the Stone Creek Forest Service Road near Prince George. The 2006 Ford F-350 pick-up had been reported stolen in Fort St. John on March 8, 2011.
On April 23 at 7:18 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a mischief and theft from a vehicle on the 1200 block of Ewert Street in Prince George. A window was smashed out of a truck parked on that block. A laptop computer, a quantity of American currency and cell phone and a black leather jacket were taken.
On April 23 at 9:23 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a theft from a vehicle on the 1400 block of Pearson Avenue in Prince George. Sometime overnight, a Pontiac Sunfire had a GPS system and a small amount of change taken out of it. No damage to the vehicle.
On April 23 at 9:25 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a mischief and theft from a vehicle on the 900 block of Central Street in Prince George. Sometime overnight, a Ford Taurus was pried open and an stereo face plate was taken, as well as some other miscellaneous items.
On April 23 at 10:06 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a mischief and theft from a vehicle on the 800 block of Central Street in Prince George. Sometime overnight, a Chevrolet pickup had a window smashed, as well as two sets of golf clubs, a wallet with cash and identification taken.
On April 23 at 11:07 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a mischief and theft from a vehicle on the 1500 block of Pearson Avenue in Prince George. Sometime overnight, a Dodge pickup was broken into and a wallet and GPS system were taken.
On April 23 at 4:40 pm, Prince George RCMP received a report of stolen licence plates from a vehicle parked on the 1400 block of Pearson Avenue in Prince George. BC licence plate number 516 KSX has not yet been recovered.
On April 23 at 8:40 pm, Prince George RCMP received a report of a mischief to a vehicle on the 800 block of Patricia Boulevard in Prince George. Officers arrived and found damage to the vehicle, but entry was not gained.
On April 24 at 10:57 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of theft from a vehicle on the 500 block of George Street in Prince George sometime between 5:30 pm and 11:30 pm on April 23, 2011. The vehicle was left unlocked and a cheque was missing.
On April 24 at 1:58 pm, Prince George RCMP received a report of theft from two vehicles on the 200 block of North Quinn Street in Prince George. The vehicles, a Plymouth van and a Toyota Corolla, were both damaged. Jumper cables and a GPS system were taken.
On April 24 at 11:54 pm, Prince George RCMP received a report of a theft from vehicle that occurred on the 1400 block of Central Street East in Prince George. The passenger side window of a Honda Civic was smashed out and an iPod was taken.
On April 25 at 8:38 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of theft of a vehicle on the 1000 block of 5th Avenue in Prince George. The 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Washington license plates was stolen sometime overnight. The vehicle was recovered later the same day on Ferndale Road missing its tires and rims. A GPS system and clothing was taken as well.
On April 25 at 8:52 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a theft from vehicle that occurred on the 5900 block of the Hart Highway in Prince George. Sometime overnight, a Toyota Corolla was entered through the passenger side door and an iPod Nano was taken.
On April 25 at 9:17 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of two thefts from vehicles that occurred on the 3000 block of the Poyner Crescent in Prince George. Sometime overnight, a Pontiac Vibe and a Cadillac were entered through unlocked doors. An iPod and a wallet were taken.
On April 25 at 9:32 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a theft from a vehicle that occurred on the 1600 block of Central Street East in Prince George. A camera was taken from an unlocked van within the previous 10 minutes.
On April 25 at 9:42 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a theft of a license plate that occurred on the 4300 block of 15th Avenue in Prince George. BC license plate CX1181 was removed from a van sometime overnight. The plate has yet to be recovered.
On April 25 at 9:59 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a theft of a license plate that occurred on the 700 block of South Ospika Boulevard in Prince George sometime since April 10, 2011. B.C. license plate 231AFX has yet to be recovered.
On April 25 at 11:00 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a theft of tires and rims from the 3000 block of Charella Drive in Prince George. The tires were recovered on the 4000 block of Davis Road.
On April 25 at 11:12 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a theft from a vehicle that occurred on the 4100 block of Shamrock Road in Prince George. Unknown when a wallet and identification went missing from a Honda Accord.
On April 26 at 4:19 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a theft from a vehicle that occurred on the 4200 block of Morgan Crescent in Prince George. A vehicle alarm notified the owner of a Chevrolet pick-up who called police. A wallet was stolen.
On April 26 at 6:21 am, Prince George RCMP received a report of a theft from a vehicle that occurred on the 1500 block of Highway 97 South in Prince George. A wallet was taken from a Chevrolet pick-up after a window was smashed to gain entry.
