SANDRA M STANWAY
Brooks Bulletin
Operation Cold Start
Police took part in Operation Cold Start which is an initiative aimed at reducing the theft of unlocked and unattended idling vehicles.
During the week police checked any vehicle they found that was running and unattended to ensure the vehicle was properly secured.
Motorists are reminded to park in a visible, well lit area if a garage or driveway is unavailable.
If you need to start your car to warm it up before use and you cannot stay with it, use a visible anti-theft device such as steering wheel lock or an automatic car starter.
Don’t leave a vehicle unattended with the keys inside and lock your vehicle even when it’s parked in a driveway or garage.
“Most car thieves are lazy individuals. Don’t make it easy for them. Follow these precautions and you will greatly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of these crimes of opportunity,” said Brooks RCMP detachment member Sgt. Dave Searle.
Ensure that when you have left your vehicle that there are no valuables inside including wallets and spare keys.
In 2024 Brooks RCMP responded to about 25 thefts of motor vehicles of which four were left idling with keys while Bassano had five thefts.
Scrap material stolen from landfill
Brooks RCMP are asking the public for help in identifying suspects who cut a fence at the Newell Regional Landfill and stole scrap material.
The incident occurred during the night of Jan. 15 where three suspects, seen on CCTV, cut an exterior fence at the landfill and stole scrap material from the recycling bins.
The material was loaded into a vehicle.
Stolen Hat vehicle recovered in Brooks
While conducting patrols in the city on Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. Brooks RCMP found an abandoned Dodge Dakota that had been stolen a few days prior from Medicine Hat.
Police found the truck parked in an alley behind a Meadowbrook Green residence.
The investigation is ongoing.
Drive-thru incident
leads to tickets
A driver who backed up into a vehicle while at the McDonald’s Drive-Thru fled the scene but later self-reported and received tickets.
On Jan. 15 at 12:47 p.m. a McDonald’s employee reported to police that both drivers exited their vehicle to exchange information following the incident.
An argument ensued and the driver responsible left the scene.
The driver later reported to the police and was ticketed for failing to remain at the scene and for backing up unsafely.
Second go-around for Class 7 driver
On Jan. 16 at 5:28 a.m. officers conducted a traffic stop and found that the driver was operating a vehicle with a learner’s Class 7 license and could not provide proof of insurance.
It was the second time since July that police had stopped the driver for the same issues.
The vehicle was towed and the driver was ticketed.
