37 auto thefts in 12 days

Abbotsford police say there were 37 auto thefts over the first 12 days of May, double the typical rate.

Almost a quarter of them were stolen on May 12th.

Constable Ian MacDonald says a lot of the vehicles were recovered outside of Abbotsford, which means they were probably used by people committing other crimes.

“A vehicle could be stolen, it may be driven to a neighboring community where a crime is committed. The car will be dumped after the break and enter or the robbery, then they’ll steal another vehicle and drive it back.”

Most of the thefts were in west Abbotsford, but because of how widely scattered the thefts were police believe that several different groups are likely responsible.

MacDonald says it’s mostly older model vehicles, often Hondas, and says anyone who owns one of the more commonly stolen vehicles can get a free anti theft device at the community policing office.