Cargo theft ring plagues B.C.
CHILLIWACK, B.C. — The Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley areas have been targeted by cargo thieves who are making off with about one or two loads per weekend.
The Insurance Corp. of B.C. (ICBC) says thieves seem to be shifting their focus to the Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Mission areas, with thefts also occurring in the Surrey and Langley areas.
The primary target seems to be unattended lumber trailers, but some thieves are making off with the tractors as well, including a recent theft of a tractor and trailer loaded with televisions.
ICBC says that in several cases, tractors have been broken into, but thieves were unable to take off with the cargo since the truck was immobile.
The insurance corporation is urging fleets to use secure yards for storing loaded trailers, installing engine immobilizers and alarms, using fifth wheel pin locks, installing glad hand locks and considering electronic tracking devices. They also encourage truckers to avoid parking loaded trailers at cardlock stations, weigh scales or remote areas.
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