Acting Staff Sgt. Brian Bohrn with the Medicine Hat Police Service (Photo Courtesy Bob Schneider)

By Gates Guarin

Vehicle thefts up over the past two years

Aug 4, 2022 | 3:31 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The Medicine Hat Police Service is reminding vehicle owners in the community to stay vigilant when leaving their car unattended.

Vicki Down reported her car stolen from the parking garage below her Mayfair Manor apartment complex on July 17. Ten days later, the car was subsequently recovered by police. The car was primarily used by Down to transport her to and from Calgary for cancer treatment.

While Down was able to recover the vehicle, many others in the city are still awaiting word on the status of their cars.

According to the police, 71 vehicles are currently reported as stolen in the city, which is a 40 per cent increase over the last two years.

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Acting Staff Sgt. Brian Bohrn says while there has been an increase in reports this year, the numbers are consistent with 2019 statistics. Bohrn believes by this metric, there is no significant issue or trend when it comes to stolen vehicles.

Bohrn says vehicles which are reported stolen have a high success rate for recovery.

“I would say in most cases, vehicles are recovered,” Bohrn says. “The timeline for recovery can vary based on a number of factors and also the location of where the vehicles are recovered. Sometimes they’re recovered outside of our city, so they’re taken for a longer period of time. But in most cases, they’re recovered within Medicine Hat within a few days.”

To increase protection against potential theft, Bohrn reminds vehicle owners to double check their doors and ensure they are locked. He says to remove valuables and spare keys from the vehicle and if necessary, invest in an anti-theft device as an additional deterrent.