Const. Sam Holm of the Deer Lake RCMP detachment said at least a dozen incidents whereby youth are entering unlocked vehicles in almost all neighbourhoods of the community have been reported to the RCMP this summer but he knows the numbers are higher than that.
“We’re hearing about dozens more while we’re out on the street that people aren’t reporting,” said Holm.
He said the term “car surfing” or “car hopping” involves individuals walking around town and trying a number of cars until they find one that is unlocked.
We’re hearing about dozens more while we’re out on the street that people aren’t reporting. - RCMP Const. Sam Holm
Holm said target items stolen include loose change, cellphones, CD players, iPods and portable DVD players.
“If they can see anything in the car like a purse or a wallet, they’ll open up the doors and rifle through that. They won’t take anything like credit cards, just cash. Cash and change seems to be the big two things,” he said.
