With one of the biggest shopping days of the year in full swing, police are warning shoppers that thieves are also on to the blow out sales 鈥� and are eager to take advantage of the less-than-careful.
Cpl. Richard De Jong of the North Vancouver RCMP said experience of previous years indicates the pre-Christmas shopping rush is also prime time for thieves to help themselves to gifts stashed in vehicles. Statistically thefts from vehicles do spike in the Christmas season, he said.
While it may be impractical to go home after each purchase, shoppers should take precautions like keeping gifts out of sight in the trunk or throwing a blanket over them, said De Jong. 鈥淚f it鈥檚 out of sight it鈥檚 out of mind for everybody,鈥� he said.
Some criminals hang out in parking lots and wait for shoppers to drop off their gifts in the car before striking, he added. One year recently, one North Vancouver resident decided to stash family gifts in the vehicle 鈥� only to have them all stolen just before Christmas.
A better idea might be to exchange wrapped family gifts with neighbours for safekeeping 鈥� away from prying eyes 鈥� said De Jong.聽
