Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, August 6, 2007

HAY RIVER - The RCMP is advising Hay River residents to secure their vehicles, after numerous instances of youths rummaging through unlocked cars and trucks.

Cpl. Jim Forsey said there have been more than 20 incidents in the past week or so involving several different groups of young people entering unlocked vehicles.

"It was in the middle of the night, mostly," said Forsey.

The corporal noted various items have been removed from the vehicles, such as sunglasses, CDs and loose change.

The RCMP is advising people to keep doors locked and not to leave valuables in their vehicles and not to leave any items in plain view.

Forsey said, in a community like Hay River, people sometimes are apathetic about the safety of their vehicles.

"The criminal element is going to take advantage of that," said Forsey, who incidentally retired from the RCMP on Friday.

As of last week, one group - consisting of several youths in town from Yellowknife - was facing the possibility of being charged with theft under $5,000 and mischief.