A frustrated south Aldergrove resident has installed this sign on the front of his 24 Avenue acreage between 248 and 256 Streets, after his family and several others have been hit by night-time thieves.
Items such as generators, utility trailers, tractors and even the front gates of residences have been stolen in recent weeks from several dozen homes in this neighbourhood.
The suspect is believed to have pushed or dragged the goods to the street and then transported it away by truck.
Residents are aiming to have a public meeting with Langley RCMP regarding measures to combat this rash of thefts.
Cat burglars strike
Langley RCMP has recently received several reports of ‘cat burglaries’ in the Langley area.
A cat burglary is defined as in incident in which a suspect breaks into a residence or into an attached residential garage overnight while people are at home asleep and is primarily undetected by the occupant of the home.
The suspect in a March 30 incident was arrested shortly after the break-in trying to steal a television. He managed to flee the property with wallets and cash. He gained access to the residence through an insecure back door.
A second break-in took place on April 1 when the suspect entered through the garage using the garage door opener left in a vehicle parked outside. The culprit stole a Rolex watch, a wallet and keys to a vehicle.
Corporal Holly Largy, spokesperson for Langley RCMP, said, “With the warmer weather upon us, many will choose to leave doors and windows open to welcome the fresh air and sunshine. Please remember to consider security as well. It’s easy to forget windows have been left open as you head to bed and unfortunately, this gives the criminal an opportunity. Make sure you do one last pass around the house in the evening to make sure all the possible entrance points have been properly secured.
“Ideally, we would like to avoid this situation altogether. You wouldn’t normally leave your house key in your vehicle, and the door opener is practically a key to the palace. Please consider removing the opener from your vehicle each day, particularly when you are parking outside.
"The second thing to remember is to lock your inner garage door so criminals aren’t able to access your home or family. Two small things can make such a difference.”
Another consideration is that many people are starting their spring cleanups and have ladders around the house for window washing and the like. Remember, the ladder offers the culprits a key to your upper floors. Where you may have thought the windows were not a risk because they are second floor, they are now wide open for criminals with your offered "staircase."