Blake Culbert is still shaken up two days after his car was stolen from the parkade of his Kelowna, B.C., condo building. However, this was no ordinary theft.
In this case, the suspect gained entry into Culbert’s home first, taking his car keys before making off with his vehicle. Culbert, who lives near downtown Kelowna, woke up on Wednesday morning to find his key rack near the front door empty. Panicking, he immediately checked the building’s parkade, where his worst fears were realized. His car, a black 2014 Scion TC, was gone.
“It was just empty where my car was supposed to be,” Culbert said. The car theft, while inconvenient, was not the only source of distress for Culbert. He was most disturbed by the realization that someone had entered his home while he slept, violating his sense of security.
“Luckily, they didn’t harm me or take anything else, but the fact that someone was inside my home makes me feel very unsettled,” Culbert explained. “They came in and invaded my privacy.”
Culbert’s condo is a small studio suite, with his bed only steps away from the door. He said he is usually very diligent about locking his door but must have forgotten to do so that night. “The fact that it might have been the one time I somehow didn’t lock the door makes me nervous,” he added.
Linda Annis, the executive director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, commented on the growing audacity of criminals. She highlighted other similar crimes, such as thieves stealing garage door openers from vehicles parked outside. “Criminals are getting very gutsy, and it’s amazing how far they’ll go,” Annis said.
She urged homeowners to adopt a nightly safety routine to ensure that all doors, windows, and sliding glass doors are securely locked. “Many of us don’t do safety checks at night, and thieves are always looking for opportunities,” Annis added.
Culbert, having learned a painful lesson, said he will be much more cautious going forward. “I will be extra careful now about how I lock my door. I’ll be triple-checking everything from now on,” he said.
The car theft has been reported to the police, and Culbert is still hopeful for a Christmas miracle—the return of his vehicle.
For additional tips on preventing home theft and car security, visit Crime Stoppers.
