News Release
Theft of truck tailgates and parts on the rise
The Edmonton Police Service is seeing a rise in the number of tailgate and truck part thefts in north Edmonton, and is reminding truck owners that there are ways to make their vehicles more secure.
There have been four such thefts in the last week, and 11 thefts in total since the beginning of January 2014. At this time, the trend is localized to the northeast part of the city in the communities of Balwin, Beverly Heights, Belvedere, Delwood, and Ozerna. The thefts have typically been happening over weekends, from midnight to the early morning hours. There have not been any similar trends in north Edmonton since September 2013.
Thieves have targeted tailgates on newer-model trucks, but there have been reports of tires, a front grill, and a set of tail lights being stolen as well. Tailgates represent almost half of the reported thefts (45 per cent), as they can be removed easily, and can cost up to $4,500 to replace.
“It’s hard for people to believe that truck tailgates would be stolen, but there’s a market for them like other auto parts,” says Const. David Webber with EPS Northeast Division. “There are individuals who have been involved in a collision or have damaged their tailgate, who steal the part rather than buying it. Stolen parts also surface at discounted prices in online classifieds or at auto shops. Sometimes people buy the part without realizing it’s stolen.”
Anti-theft tips:
Park in a locked garage, or a well-lit, highly-visible, high-traffic area. Back into a parking stall, and park with your truck’s tailgate as close to a building or other vehicle to prevent the tailgate from being opened.
Remove unsecured items from your truck bed, or install proper locking mechanisms such as special lug nuts for spare tires.
Install an alarm system in your vehicle with a tailgate actuator that locks at the same time as the other doors.
Always lock your tailgate. Many trucks have factory-installed locks, and aftermarket lock assemblies are also available. Or, attach a tailgate padlock, or simple hose or locking easy clamp where the tailgate lifts out.
Etch the vehicle identification number or a personal identification number into the vehicle part. This will make it easier to recover the part if stolen.
Report suspicious persons, vehicles, or activities to police as soon as possible.
For more information about protecting property from theft, please visit http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/crimeprevention.
If you experience an auto theft crime in progress, please call 911. If you wish to report a theft from auto, please contact the Edmonton Police Service by visiting a divisional station, calling 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone, or logging onto http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/ContactEPS/OnlineCrimeReporting.
Pinoy Edmonton News 