An increase in petty theft cases in Timmins has police reminding people to “lock it or lose it".
Officers say warm weather and prolonged daylight are giving thieves a greater opportunity to take advantage of property owners.
During the month of June, Timmins police received 77 calls for service regarding petty theft.
They say half of those notices involved items stolen from unlocked vehicles parked in driveways or on a street in a residential area, with cellphones and wallets being of particular interest.
While people expect police to solve these cases, it's not always that easy.
Marc Depatie is the Community Liaison Officer for Timmins Police Service.
"These types of crimes are very difficult to solve until such time as a credit card is used in a situation where there's video surveillance of that transaction taking place. And, with the advent of tap features, people leave their wallets, purses in vehicles. From a blunt perspective, they're asking for trouble." said Depatie.
He alsosays unlocked sheds are another lucrative source, adding a locked door sends a strong message to thieves, while serving as a reminder to residents to not take their safety and possessions for granted.
