Strathmore RCMP are investigating after a string of thefts from vehicles in Langdon early in the morning March 19.
Police said that two suspects gained entry to 13 different vehicles in Langdon.
The thieves, after entering an unlocked vehicle were also able to use the garage door opener to get into the garage as well.
After stealing various property items the pair fled in a black pick-up truck.
The crime spree and getaway truck were caught on home surveillance camera footage which was provided to RCMP.
“Surveillance images, especially when they’re nice and clear, are a huge benefit for us to be able to identify the persons responsible for a crime,” said RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Curtis Peters.
“Without that we would have significantly less evidence,” said Peters.
These sorts of crimes are becoming increasingly common in the Calgary region.
“Crimes such as the reported one in Langdon have and do occur in Chestermere largely as a result of vehicles left unlocked with valuables inside such as electronic devices, wallets, purses, keys, and other means of entering persons houses or garages,” said Chestermere Detachment Commander Staff Sgt. Mark Wielgosz.
Residential surveillance footage has been used successfully by Chestermere RCMP to identify suspects committing property crimes in the city.
It is for this reason that the Chestermere RCMP are piloting a home surveillance registry.
“Having an effective and up to date home surveillance registry in Chestermere would greatly reduce the amount of time our members spend looking for evidence and increases the likelihood of holding those responsible for property crime in our community accountable,” said Wielgosz.
He said that traditional investigative measures include door to door enquiries to identify potential witnesses and to determine if there is surveillance footage available.
“This can be a time-consuming process depending on the circumstances of the investigation or time of day these enquiries are made,” he said, “Knowing ahead of time which houses have surveillance systems greatly reduces the amount of time it takes to obtain footage, disseminate images to law enforcement personnel, and identify those responsible.”
Chestermere residents interested in participating in the volunteer registry are encouraged to call the Chestermere RCMP detachment.
Anyone with information on the thefts from vehicles in Langdon are asked to contact Strathmore RCMP at 403-934-3535 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
