Fort St. John RCMP warn hunters of theft following three incidents at local hotels

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The Fort St. John RCMP have issued advice and a warning for hunters, as they may be a target of thieves in the area following three incidents of theft at hotels in the city.

Two overnight thefts from vehicles were reported to officers on October 2nd at 6:25 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., as well as a third at 2 a.m. on October 3rd at various locations around the city. 

The first incident, reported to officers at 6:25 a.m. on October 2nd, was the theft of an ATV at the Holiday Inn Express in Fort St. John. The straps were cut overnight, and the ATV was stolen from the back of a pickup truck. The RCMP Street Enforcement Team recovered the ATV later that same day.

Also, on October 2nd, at 8:30, the detachment was notified of a vehicle break-in and theft involving a vehicle with a camper attached at the Best Western Motel. The windows were smashed, and a black Pelican case was one of several items stolen.

The third incident, reported to police at 2 a.m. on October 3rd, involved a vehicle break-in at the Holiday Inn Express. The windows were smashed, with two hunting rifles and jerry cans stolen from the vehicles. 

Constable Chad Neustaeter, Media Relations Officer for the Fort St. John RCMP, explained that the thefts appear to be targeting hunters and their possessions as a ‘seasonal opportunity.’

“Our intent with sharing this information is to prevent further thefts by bringing awareness to hunters in the area so that they can take steps to protect their possessions, especially firearms,” The Constable stated in a press release. 

The detachment encourages hunters to secure ATVs and trailers with chains rather than straps, keep firearms secured in their residence or hotel room, out of view of the general public, and secure firearms with trigger locks or cables for safer transportation. 

Officers also suggest parking vehicles where there is adequate lighting ‘to deter would-be thieves’ and backing vehicles up to a building or other vehicle when possible to protect what is in the back. 

The detachment is continuing to investigate all three incidents and is asking anyone with information to contact the Fort St. John RCMP at 250-787-8100.