After a rash of thefts from vehicles in Hinton, the RCMP is issuing a public warning, advising people on a number of steps they can take to protect their valuables.

“Recently, there have been numerous thefts from vehicles in both the hill and valley sectors of Hinton. The Hinton RCMP would like to remind everyone about how to protect yourself against theft from vehicles,” reads the press release.

Cst. Gord Wiebe of the Hinton RCMP is asking the public “not to give criminals the opportunity to make you a victim.”

Police in Hinton are advising people to ensure that the doors of their unattended vehicles are locked and that the windows are fully done up. Valuables (laptops, GPS units, iPods, cameras, etc.) should be taken out of the vehicle or at least hidden from plain view. The vehicle should also be parked in a well lit area overnight and the keys to the vehicle should not be left inside.

Yellow placards produced by the Alberta Motor Association (AMA) can also be picked up from the Hinton RCMP detachment. The placards are bright and read ‘All valuables have been removed from this vehicle’ and could potentially deter a thief from targeting your vehicle. 

“Any person caught stealing items from vehicles will be subject to criminal code investigations and potential charges,” reads the press release.

If you have any information regarding recent thefts from vehicles or any suspicious activity, please contact the Hinton RCMP at 780-865-2455 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-422-8477.