Break and enters to businesses are on the rise here in Prince George.
According to the RCMP, the trend is curving slightly upward when compared to last year.
Here at Vista Radio, we have been broken into three times since November, with the last incident occurring just after 3 am on Friday.
One of our sales reps had his computer monitor stolen and an ax was thrown through one of the windows. The matter is under investigation.
Cpl. Jennifer Cooper explained to MyPGNow.com why businesses are a prime target for criminals.
“Businesses happen to have a lot of easily movable merchandise in them, which makes them an easy target for break and enters and property crime sprees and that’s what makes them a prime target.”
She added offenders aren’t picky on the type of businesses they target.
“And it doesn’t seem to be any particular business. We see break and enters kind of across the board – it doesn’t really matter what the merchandise is or what the business like the retail side might be. Everything seems to be just as likely as the other.”
Cooper hinted the PG RCMP does offer a service through their Community Policing program where businesses are offered crime prevention through an environmental design survey that you can ask to have done and can give storefronts specific pointers about what can be done to better protect themselves.
Storefronts in the Lower Mainland are also finding creative ways to protect themselves from becoming victimized on a semi-regular basis.
“In the Chinatowns down in the Lower Mainland, they are having great success with rolling shutters in deterring property crime. It kind of fortifies the business after hours, although in other places that are not always possible like the 24/7 gyms that we have in the city, which have clients coming and going.”
Police arrested three people following a break-in to a local gym just after 5:30 am on April 20th (last Wednesday) along the 700-block of Central Street East.
The investigation revealed various supplements, clothing, tanning supplies, food, and equipment were taken with an approximate value of $10,000.
“Some of the stolen items were located outside near the business; investigators followed the tracks left behind in the snow and located three suspects nearby with many of the stolen items. The individuals, one man, and two women, were arrested for possession of the stolen property and held in court. The stolen property was seized by investigators and returned to the business owner,” stated Cooper.
The B.C. Prosecution Service approved the following charges:
Ryan Ronnin Felix:
- Break and enter to commit theft
- Possession of stolen property over $5,000
Shannon Lee Haskell:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
Kateri Haskel:
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
All three suspects are known to the police.
Felix will remain in custody until his next court appearance; Shannon Haskell and Kateri Haskel were released on Undertakings with future court dates.
The investigation is ongoing.
Last July, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern BC van had its gas tank drilled in an act of vandalism.
The PG Humane Society also told Vista Radio had their van attempted to be broken into.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
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