Maidstone RCMP are again stressing the importance of not leaving your running vehicle unlocked.

This particular detachment says vehicle theft is a growing concern in the area and the vehicles aren’t necessarily being stolen for re-sale but to be used in crimes. The RCMP says, to prevent identification of those involved, it is common for officers to find a stolen vehicle abandoned after it had been used in several crimes.

On February 6th, in approximately 40 minutes in downtown Maidstone, the constable on patrol located seven running vehicles that were unlocked. The constable secured the vehicles, tracked down the owners and asked them to turn off and lock their vehicles when not in them.

In 2019, the Maidstone Detachment received 66 stolen vehicle complaints. Six have been reported between January 1st and February 2nd.

On February 10th, an unlocked and running vehicle was stolen from a gas station in Maidstone. The efforts to recover the stolen vehicle involved Maidstone, Cut Knife and Battleford RCMP Detachments. Police called this an easily preventable crime.