FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. - The Fort St. John RCMP is reminding residents and visitors to store firearms safely and responsibly after several guns were stolen from a vehicle parked overnight at a local hotel.
Police say the theft occurred during the early morning hours of September 15. The firearms were taken from a locked vehicle that had been left parked overnight.
According to the RCMP, similar incidents are not uncommon in Fort St. John, particularly during hunting season, when more firearms are being transported through the region.
Officers say they continue to see preventable thefts from vehicles, especially those left unattended for extended periods, regardless of whether they are locked.
“Despite Fort St. John being a northern destination for hunting, it is a city, and every city experiences thefts from motor vehicles overnight,” said Constable Christiaan Dreyer, Media Relations Officer with the Fort St. John RCMP.
Police say responsible storage can help prevent firearms from being stolen and reduce the risk of them being used in criminal activity.
“Please ensure you do not leave your firearms in your personal vehicles overnight while visiting our city. Every time this type of theft occurs, more firearms end up in the hands of criminals,” said Dreyer.
Anyone with information about the theft is encouraged to contact the Fort St. John RCMP.