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Residents use social media, police to track down stolen patio furniture

Jul 5, 2018 | 4:27 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Spending summer evenings and weekends relaxing on a deck or patio is something many enjoy.

Thieves have also taken a liking to patio furniture.

Several residents have had their patio sets go missing, presumed stolen and later ending up for sale online.

It seems like it’s happening more often and it’s not always furniture.

CHAT News has heard from several people over social media who have said entire patio sets from backyards have vanished. One woman had a pair of rocking chairs taken from her front yard.

Bigger pieces, like garden arbours and benches, have also been reported missing.

Some have taken to warning others on different Facebook groups by posting photos and asking for any information if it pops up for sale.

Sergeant Mike Fischer said residents should be reporting thefts like these to police.

He said even the smallest detail could help officers link the pieces together.

“If we happen to find out who’s responsible, and usually we do, it takes all pieces of the puzzle,” he said. “So, even if it’s something insignificant, report it to us, ‘cause we take it all seriously and you never know, your piece of information might be the last piece that we’re gonna need to close out the file.”

Fischer said there are a few things you can do to protect your furniture.

He suggests labelling it, even using a marker and also taking pictures of it.

It’ll help officers determine if what they find does belong to you.

He said, without those details, it can be hard to determine who the rightful owners are.

“We don’t want to alarm people, patio furniture is still safe on your patio,” Fischer said. “However, we’ve had a couple incidents of patio furniture going missing, so I guess I would recommend the same thing with all of your property. If you’ve got identifying features, like serial numbers or whatever, record that.”

He adds that if your stuff does end up online, tell police.

Fischer doesn’t recommend ever taking matters into your own hands by confronting the seller yourself.