(File photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Property crime and theft

Attempted thefts in Melfort as warmer weather arrives

Mar 25, 2025 | 4:17 PM

The warmer weather isn’t all good news for homeowners in Melfort.

It appears the criminal element is also warming up, attempting to steal items from vehicles and garages.

Numerous posts on various social media pages regarding crime in Melfort have indicated attempted break-ins and thefts across the city, including Scotia Dr., Burns Ave. W., and Elizabeth St. on the city’s south side.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Ryan Case said the offenders don’t discriminate as to what part of town to hit.

Case said there is generally an increase in people outside during this time of year, and that can include people going through back alleys and yards in an attempt to steal things quickly. He added the first thing people can do to avoid becoming a victim of theft is to lock your doors, whether that be your vehicles, sheds, garages, or houses.

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“These criminals, for the most part, that are going around looking for something to steal, they’re lazy,” explained Case. “They want the easy, quick grab. They are not going to spend the time to start kicking doors in and making too much noise.”

For the most part, that noise would mean too much attention on the criminals, said Case. Items from an unlocked vehicle or garage are much easier and faster to grab, and much less of a hassle for the criminal.

Case said not everyone out-and-about is up to no good, but if you spot someone that you see acting suspiciously, he urges you to call the RCMP. Removing valuables from vehicles and making sure your property is well-lit are other ways to reduce the chances of being victimized by thieves.

“Criminals love the dark, so if they can do what they think they should be doing in the dark, that’s the easiest way.”

Security cameras are also beneficial, and Case said the RCMP will ask any homeowner in an area of suspected criminal activity like theft if there are cameras so the footage can be reviewed.

“We had a case last week where we saw some video of some people coming onto a property, and they looked up, they saw the camera, which was well out of their reach, they couldn’t do anything about it and as soon as they looked up, their face was directly straight at the camera, and as soon as they did that they turned around and they hightailed it,” said Case.

Many of the posts on the social media crime pages in Melfort are dismissive of police efforts in apprehending the offenders, or having arrested individuals locked up briefly only to quickly return to their life of crime. Case said he understands the frustration and the feeling that ‘nothing is being done’, and that he hears often about there being no point in calling the RCMP.

“I understand that is a frustration of people, that’s just unfortunate that people get into that mindset, but at the very least if we even do these small steps, hopefully we can [have] an effect on [the crime],” said Case.

He added that approximately 80 to 85 per cent of items stolen from people’s property, either through a garage or a vehicle, are unsecured, and he urges people to lock their doors.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com