News (Media Awareness Project) - CN AB: Car Thefts Linked To Coke Trade |
| Title: | CN AB: Car Thefts Linked To Coke Trade |
| Published On: | 2003-09-27 |
| Source: | Red Deer Express (CN AB) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-19 11:10:51 |
CAR THEFTS LINKED TO COKE TRADE
Rocky Mountain House Mounties are discovering a dramatic increase in stolen
motor vehicle traffic over the last month between Red Deer and Big West
Country.
Rocky RCMP Sgt. Brian Halladay said he believes the drug trade,
specifically cocaine and crystal meth, may also be triggering Central
Alberta criminals to commit the motor vehicle thefts.
"There has been a significant increase in thefts of vehicles over the last
month," said Halladay. "I think hard drug use, crystal meth and crack
cocaine, may play a part in it.
"That will have to be borne out by investigation," he added. "It is going
to be a priority over the next few weeks to address the issue."
Red Deer city RCMP Supt. Jim Steele said he is aware of the increased
stolen auto connection between Rocky and Red Deer.
"Our guys are in touch with the members in Rocky Mountain House," said
Steele, agreeing with Halladay's theory that the illegal drug trade is a
factor.
"That does play a part in it," he said.
Halladay said there has been 20 thefts of motor vehicles, including ATVs
and motorcycles, in the last five weeks in the town's residential and
commercial areas.
He said Rocky Mounties have also recovered half a dozen vehicles that had
been stolen from Red Deer and other jurisdictions.
"We know that some vehicles that have been stolen in Rocky Mountain House
have ended up in the City of Red Deer. It is a regional problem," said
Halladay.
Earlier this month, Red Deer city RCMP said statistics showed motor vehicle
thefts in the city have risen 90 per cent during the first eight months of
2003, compared to the same period last year.
A total of 542 motor vehicles have been reported stolen to Red Deer city
RCMP during the first eight months of 2003. For the same period in 2002,
285 motor vehicles were reported stolen.
Last month alone, Mounties in Red Deer investigated 100 reports of car
thefts, compared to 56 in August, 2002.
"We (police forces) must take an integrated approach, not detachment by
detachment," said Halladay. "We have to partner with the other police
jurisdictions to address the problem."
Rocky Mountain House Mounties are discovering a dramatic increase in stolen
motor vehicle traffic over the last month between Red Deer and Big West
Country.
Rocky RCMP Sgt. Brian Halladay said he believes the drug trade,
specifically cocaine and crystal meth, may also be triggering Central
Alberta criminals to commit the motor vehicle thefts.
"There has been a significant increase in thefts of vehicles over the last
month," said Halladay. "I think hard drug use, crystal meth and crack
cocaine, may play a part in it.
"That will have to be borne out by investigation," he added. "It is going
to be a priority over the next few weeks to address the issue."
Red Deer city RCMP Supt. Jim Steele said he is aware of the increased
stolen auto connection between Rocky and Red Deer.
"Our guys are in touch with the members in Rocky Mountain House," said
Steele, agreeing with Halladay's theory that the illegal drug trade is a
factor.
"That does play a part in it," he said.
Halladay said there has been 20 thefts of motor vehicles, including ATVs
and motorcycles, in the last five weeks in the town's residential and
commercial areas.
He said Rocky Mounties have also recovered half a dozen vehicles that had
been stolen from Red Deer and other jurisdictions.
"We know that some vehicles that have been stolen in Rocky Mountain House
have ended up in the City of Red Deer. It is a regional problem," said
Halladay.
Earlier this month, Red Deer city RCMP said statistics showed motor vehicle
thefts in the city have risen 90 per cent during the first eight months of
2003, compared to the same period last year.
A total of 542 motor vehicles have been reported stolen to Red Deer city
RCMP during the first eight months of 2003. For the same period in 2002,
285 motor vehicles were reported stolen.
Last month alone, Mounties in Red Deer investigated 100 reports of car
thefts, compared to 56 in August, 2002.
"We (police forces) must take an integrated approach, not detachment by
detachment," said Halladay. "We have to partner with the other police
jurisdictions to address the problem."
Member Comments |
No member comments available...
