A number of vehicles in Southside, including some parked at the Downie Street Sawmill, were targeted by thieves in the wee hours of Monday, December 21.
The string of vehicle break-ins was discovered after mill security alerted police to the presence of an abandoned vehicle in the sawmill parking lot at 3 am.
“The vehicle is a local white van, belonging to an electrical company,” RCMP Staff Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky told The Revelstoke Current. “It was not reported stolen until we started the investigation into why it was at the mill.”
During this same time someone called the police to report activity by two men carrying skis in the Southside area near Eighth Street. The men, believed to be between 16 and 20, were not located by Mounties responding to the call. No other description was available.
“However, during the search to locate these males, it was determined that several vehicles were entered on Downie Street, Edward Street, Eighth Street and others,” Grabinsky said in a statement. “The vehicles that were entered were unlocked, some with valuable items visible inside. Vehicles in the mill parking lot were also targeted.”
Police are continuing their investigation and are reviewing security footage from the mill and other locations to identify and arrest the suspects. The Revelstoke Forensic Identification Section is examining the recovered property as well as each of the vehicles that were entered.
Grabinsky said everyone should always secure their vehicles and valuable items. Any valuables should be kept out of sight and vehicles parked, when possible, in well-lit areas.
If you have any knowledge of this crime or any others, please call the Revelstoke RCMP at 250-837-5255 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).