Prince George businesses and the public are reminded of last winter's rash of thefts of bobcats or skidsteers used to clear parking lots of snow.
Gary Godwin, media liaison officer for the RCMP, advises owners and operators to safe guard the machines now out in full force to clear the recent snowfall.
"Lock the machines away in a shed or warehouse when finished for the day, as thieves will drive through a locked compound with stolen truck in order to steal a machine," Godwin said.
Police hope to prevent a repeat of last winter when about 10 of the machines were stolen and there were a significant number of attempted thefts.
It started again on Thursday when two Prince George males were arrested while attempting to steal a skidsteer from a residence near 15th Avenue and Abhou Street.
It was an alert member of the public who saw a young offender and an 18-year-old male attempting to steal the machine and called the owner who called police.
Godwin says the machines are easy to transport in a pickup truck, and when mounted on a trailer, they are a tempting target to criminals.
"It's a major loss when you figure these machines cost about $45,000 new, and a trailer runs about $8,000 to $10,000," Godwin said.
Anyone with information about this or any other criminal offences or activities is asked to call the Prince George RCMP at 250-561-3300, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, or online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca.
