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By Liam Verster

Easy Target for Thieves

Don’t leave cars idling: RCMP

Oct 28, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Idling cars are an easy target for criminals.

That’s according to the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, who are advising people not to leave their cars running to warm up as the temperatures have started to drop.

“It’s about this time of year when we start to see vehicles being stolen with keys left inside with the engine running,” Constable Chris Terleski, Media Relations Officer for the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, said.

“It might be tempting to warm up your car before heading out, but an unlocked, running vehicle is an easy target for thieves and it only takes a few seconds for someone to jump in and drive away.”

Mounties said people should never leave their vehicles running with the keys inside and the doors unlocked, noting it only takes a thief a few seconds to enter a car and drive away.

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People who do need to warm up their vehicles before driving are advised to do so using a remote starter with a functional engine immobilizer.