RCMP are once again reminding residents of the Foothills to lock up their cars, remove all valuables from inside.

Over the weekend Cochrane RCMP responded to 20 calls in five days involving thefts of vehicles.

They had one call on Friday, three on Saturday, a whopping eight calls on Sunday followed by another seven on Monday and one more on Tuesday making it a very busy, very long weekend.

High River Staff Sergeant Robin Alexander says they don't see that kind of numbers happening in High River, but that's not to say it can't happen.

"What we have seen and what is becoming more prevalent is groups of individuals coming out from the city with shopping lists," said Alexander. "Looking for specific types of vehicles and failing that any vehicle. So often times it is youth that have been dropped off."

Alexander says the thieves search around for the low hanging fruit like running vehicles with the keys in them.

And cars or trucks with valuables like purses, wallets. computers and electronics.

"They will always have a peek in the window first, check the door to see if it is locked."

If they see something they like they will break the window and leave the car behind.

They will also break a window for quick access to the vehicle if it is locked with keys inside.

"What we do see is crimes of opportunity. So vehicles that someone has gone out to warm up before they go to work, with these cold temperatures, if you are leaving the keys in there and locking it with a second set of keys in the house that's not necessarily a theft proof either."

The following is a recap of some of the vehicle related occurrences.

On February 16, 2018 at 7:00 a.m. the Cochrane RCMP responded to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle parked near the Jumping Pound Petro Canada on Highway 1 with numerous people sleeping inside.  Upon police arrival it was found that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Calgary.  All of the occupants sleeping in the vehicle were arrested without incident.  Dennis Wildman, 38, has been charged with one count of being in possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 plus an additional four charges.  Wildman’s next scheduled court appearance is February 27, 2018 in Cochrane Court.

On February 17, 2018

6:30 a.m.  Cochrane RCMP responded to a theft of motor vehicle complaint from the Glenbow area of Cochrane.   Upon police arrival, they recovered a second vehicle reported stolen from Calgary.  The first vehicle has not been recovered, it is described as a 1999 silver Honda Civic with an Alberta license plate of BXP8084.

7:00 a.m.  Cochrane RCMP responded to a theft of a motor vehicle complaint from the River Heights area of Cochrane.  Upon police arrival, the stolen vehicle was located nearby, stuck in a snowbank.

9:00 a.m.  Cochrane RCMP responded to a report of an abandoned vehicle.  Upon police arrival, it was determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Calgary.

On February 18, 2018

4:40 a.m.  Cochrane RCMP received a report of an attempted theft of a vehicle.  This vehicle was not stolen, but was damaged.

5:00 a.m.  Cochrane RCMP received a report of a stolen motor vehicle from the West Terrace area of Cochrane.  This vehicle has not been recovered and is described as a black 1999 Dodge Dakota with an Alberta license plate of BRW1878.

5:20 a.m.  Cochrane RCMP received a report of a stolen motor vehicle from the downtown area of Cochrane.  This vehicle has not been recovered and is described as a grey 2015 Ford F350 with an Alberta license plate of BYY8655.

10:25 a.m.  Cochrane RCMP received a report of a stolen motor vehicle from the Gleneagles area of Cochrane.  This vehicle has not been recovered and is described as a white 2018 Ford F150 with Alberta license plate BYM5070.

1:30 p.m.  Cochrane RCMP responded to a complaint of an abandoned vehicle.  Upon police arrival it was determined that the vehicle was stolen.

2:00 p.m.  Cochrane RCMP received a complaint of a stolen trailer from the rural Cochrane area.  The trailer has not been recovered and is described as 2013 Forest River, silver enclosed trailer with Alberta LP of 4LH888.

2:15 p.m.  Cochrane RCMP responded to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle near the Springbank Airport.  Upon police arrival, it was discovered that the vehicle had been stolen out of Calgary.  Thomas Labelle (32) and Raymond Ackroyd (35) have both been charged with one count of being in possession of property obtained by crime over $5000.  Labelle and Ackroyd’s next next scheduled court appearance is March 13, 2018 in Cochrane Court.

2:25 p.m.  Cochrane RCMP responded to a complaint of a suspicious vehicle at the Jumping Pound Petro Canada on Highway 1.  The vehicle had been reported stolen out of Calgary.   Roosevelt Cecil (44) has been charged with one count of being in possession of stolen property obtained by crime over $5000.  Lyle Bearsaw (24) has also been charged with one count of being in possession of property obtained by crime over $5000, plus 7 additional charges.  Cecil and Bearspaw’s next scheduled court appearance is February 27, 2018 in Cochrane Court.

February 19, 2018

2:30 a.m.  Cochrane RCMP received a complaint of a theft of motor vehicle from the rural Cochrane area. This vehicle was located on February 20, 2018 by the Didsbury RCMP.

10:15 a.m.  Cochrane RCMP recovered a stolen vehicle by using the vehicles’ onboard GPS.

12:45 a.m.  While on patrol the Cochrane RCMP recovered a vehicle that had been reported stolen from Calgary.

3:45 p.m.  Cochrane RCMP received a report of a theft of motor vehicle from the downtown area of Cochrane.  This vehicle has not been recovered and is described as a black 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 with Alberta license plate EVT574.

 5:00 p.m.  While on patrol, the Cochrane RCMP recovered a vehicle that had been reported stolen out of Calgary.

5:30 p.m.  While on patrol, the Cochrane RCMP entered into an investigation of a suspicious vehicle with a male sitting inside.  They determined the vehicle to be stolen.  Charges are pending.

6:00 p.m.  Cochrane RCMP received a report of a stolen motor vehicle from the Benchlands area.  This vehicle is still outstanding and described as white 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 Mega pick up truck.

 February 20, 2018

7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.  The Cochrane RCMP were making proactive patrols in residential areas of Cochrane, checking vehicles that were left running.  If vehicles were located running and unlocked the keys were removed from the vehicle and returned to the homeowner.

8:00 a.m.  Cochrane RCMP received a report of stolen motor vehicle from the Jumping Pound area of Cochrane.  This vehicle has not been located and described as a white 2017 Ford F150 with an Alberta license plate of BXY8063.

Residents are asked to do their part in crime prevention.  Securing property is a first step towards protecting valuables.  The Cochrane RCMP are again reminding vehicle owners to please lock your vehicles and put away items of value.  As well, if you choose to start your vehicle and leave it running, please stay with your vehicle.

Anyone with information regarding any of these stolen vehicles are asked to contact the Cochrane RCMP detachment at 403-851-8000.  If you have information about this, or any other crime(s), and you want to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), by internet at www.tipsubmit.com, or by SMS (check your local Crime Stoppers [www.crimestoppers.ab.ca] for instructions on how to do it.)  You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers, and if you provide information to Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest(s), the recovery of stolen property, and/or a seizure of illicit drugs, you may be eligible for a cash reward.