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By Tiffany Goodwein

Vehicle break-ins spark concern for Crescent Heights residents

Apr 1, 2022 | 4:51 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB– Local residents in Northeast Crescent Heights are speaking out after becoming the victim of vehicle theft in recent months.

Erica Siver’s family truck has been hit by vehicle theft not once but twice in her Northeast Crescent Heights Neighborhood.

” The first time they stole items, they rumaged through and made a big mess. They went through my baby’s diaper bag and strewn the contents all over I’m not exactly sure what they took that time . The Second time, was a few weeks ago they did steal a bag with some important paper work and obviously we are never going to get those back,” she said.

The vehicle was left unlocked and both times Siver said the two incidents left her family feeling violated and disturbed.

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” It’s difficult because you are in the house sleeping so close to where they are going into vehicles, so it kind of crosses your mind if they are going through vehicles would they try a different door and go inside your house? It’s scary,” she said.

Siver is just one of many residents who have dealt with vehicle theft in the North East Crescent Heights Neighborhood the past few months.

The Medicine Hat Police Service says they are aware of an increase in thefts occurring in the area and they will be stepping up their police presence.

In the meantime, Insp. Joe West says there are some ways to prevent your vehicle from becoming the target of theft.

” There are two main things: Number one don’t leave any contents inside your vehicle, and number two lock it up. We find that a lot of car prowlings involve criminals that will just play the numbers they will check as many doors as they possibly can, and bingo they’ve got an open door,” he said.

An open door, and a hard lesson for victims like Siver who has adopted a new nightly routine that she hopes will better protect her vehicle.

“Now I’m going to stand at the window and press the lock button and watch my lights flash and know that my vehicle is locked.”