A commuter is warning others to be alert when leaving their cars parked near the Beaconsfield train station. On March 23rd, her 2013 Dodge Caravan was parked just west of the Beaconsfield Exo station, in the parking lot along Elm Avenue.
While she was at work, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., an unknown suspect vandalized her car, namely the door handle and interior of her door. They took the door and window switch; meanwhile, the door must be replaced due to the broken metal parts and the handle.
Without a witness or security camera footage, the police allegedly responded that they could not intervene.
Some anti-theft tips for motor vehicles, according to the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM), include:
Park your vehicle in a well-lit area.
Always lock the doors and close the windows, even if you leave your vehicle for a few moments, i.e., to pay at a gas station.
Only leave your keys with people you know (valet, parking employee, etc.)
Engrave ID into the windows and major parts of your vehicle
Do not leave any documents with your address in your vehicle to prevent theft at your residence.
Use an anti-theft immobilizer, steering wheel lock, alarm, or tracking system.
Never leave your vehicle unattended while the engine is running, even for a few minutes.
Some anti-theft devices include:
Ignition or fuel kill switches
Steering wheel, gearshift, and hood locks
Steering column collar
An electric alarm.
SOURCE: SPVM, Halton Regional Police Service.
