With little more than a month until Christmas, New Westminster police are reminding the public to use extra caution while out gift shopping.
Shoppers often leave valuable purchases in the trunks or back seats of their vehicles while they continue their shopping.
A little bit of "target hardening" will help deter would-be grinches from making off with goods meant to go under the tree.
"Thieves are only too happy to smash your vehicle's window to check out that bag or box that is sitting on the vehicle's seat to see if any valuables are inside. The bag may be empty, but thieves don't know that," said Sgt. Gary Weishaar in a press release.
"Keep your valuables locked away and out of sight. Lock your vehicle securely in well-lit areas where traffic from cars and pedestrians is frequent."
"Theft from auto" has been one of the few types of crime that has seen an increase in New Westminster and the Lower Mainland in recent years.
www.twitter.com/BrentRichter