Posted:
On August 25, at 9 p.m., officers responded to Long Lake Provincial Park, off the St Margaret’s Bay Road in Halifax after campers reported their backpacks stolen. The two campers had put their backpacks down while looking for a spot to pitch their tent when suspect(s) stole the backpacks containing numerous items. Officers were unable to locate any suspects or the stolen items at the scene.
On August 26, the campers contacted police after locating their stolen items for sale on a local classified ads website. A meeting was arranged with the sellers for later in the day. At 4 p.m., officers arrested two men and a woman as they arrived at the meeting location. They were found to be in possession of the stolen goods. A 47-year-old woman and two men, age 19 and 20, face charges of theft under $5,000, possession of stolen goods under $5,000 and trafficking property obtained by crime. They were all released from custody under conditions to abstain from going to any park or beach and will appear in Halifax Provincial Court at a later date.
Every summer, police see an increase in the number of thefts from vehicles that are parked at beaches, parks and hiking areas. These thefts are generally a crime of opportunity, with the sight of items being a temptation for would-be thieves. Police recommend that citizens remove all items from their vehicles. If it’s absolutely necessary to leave items in your vehicle, they should be locked in the trunk out of plain view before arriving at your destination.
Anyone observing suspicious activity in or around parks and beaches should report it to police immediately at 902-490-5020. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca.