By Chad Klassen

Rash of crimes in Barnhartvale have residents on high alert

Sep 25, 2018 | 4:55 PM

KAMLOOPS — A rash of crimes has put residents of Barnhartvale on high alert, victims of increased thefts that have doubled from this time last year. 

Concerned resident Nicole Lyons moved to Barnhartvale eight years ago and says she’s never experienced crime like this until the last eight months. 

“We’ve gone from a quiet, rural Barnhartvale to crime,” she said. “There’s been thefts every night from numerous vehicles houses. Everything from generators to children’s bikes to vehicles, and it just started happening.”

Residents say the individual they believe is responsible takes what is stolen and then tries to sell the items on Facebook. According to Lyons, the culprit has eight separate social media accounts, but they all lead to the same phone number. One day, she decided to call, posing as a prospective buyer.

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“I called an ad that I saw about a generator that had been stolen, reported stolen from somebody in our community,” noted Lyons. “And it was all a very shady situation.”

Kamloops RCMP are well aware of the increase in crime that’s been happening, but have yet to capture the suspected thieves. 

“Thefts under $5,000 are more than double than they were last year,” said Cpl. Jodi Shelkie. “At this time, our Crime Reduction Unit and our Criminal Intelligence Unit is looking at this and we’ve put it on our Comm Stat, so we’re devoting more resources to it.”

Police encourage neighbours to continue reporting any suspicious activity or stole property to add to the Barnhartvale file. RCMP also suggest residents locked up all their possessions. 

“Lock up all their tools, their generators, any personal items they have,” said Shelkie. “If you can’t put it into a garage or shed and lock the door, then use a chain and a lock for each individual item.”

The neighbours say the increase in crime is not pushing anyone to move out. Instead, the community is coming together to fight it. 

“No, people aren’t thinking about moving out of the neighbourhood,” said Lyons. “What we’re doing is people are buying surveillance cameras, people are making sure, double-checking that everything is locked up.”