1 truck, 2 safes, 3 saws stolen in ‘property crime spree’ on Vancouver Island: RCMP

A Saanich Police vehicle is seen in Saanich, B.C., on Tuesday, June 28, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Mounties on Vancouver Island are investigating several thefts over the weekend that they believe are connected.

The series of thefts happened between Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 and spanned the Tsarlip First Nation, Cordova Bay, North Saanich and Sidney, according to a statement issued Friday by the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP.

The crime spree started in the early morning of Feb. 22, when Mounties responded to an alarm at a gas station on the First Nation, where they found a safe had been stolen.

“Later that day, two men were seen trying to force open a safe at Jenner Beach in Cordova Bay before leaving in an older blue Toyota pickup,” RCMP said in the statement.

The next day, Mounties say a 1995 Dodge Ram was reported stolen, but later recovered in North Saanich, and there was also an attempted vehicle theft at a Sindey transmission shop.

The final theft happened at a Sidney equipment rental business, where police say three Stihl saws and a safe were stolen.

“Investigators believe the incidents are related and the investigations remain ongoing,” RCMP said in the statement.

Anyone with information regarding suspicious persons or activities related to these crimes is asked to contact the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP at 250-656-3931.