INSIDE: Schools brace for Wednesday’s earthquake Shakeout Pg. 4 T U E S D A Y
January 25, 2011
Clark talks charities 3 Christy N E W S ,
SPORTS,
WEATHER
&
E N T E R T A I N M E N T abbotsfordtimes.com
Thieves target churchgoers
Are they risking His wrath? ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
A
bbotsford Police are warning the faithful to be on alert after thieves vandalized cars in church parking lots and then went on to rob a home on Sunday. While churchgoers were attending morning service, the suspects were smashing windows and slashing tires, Const. Ian MacDonald said.
“When the big guy weighs in on this, it ain’t going to be pretty.” – Const. Ian MacDonald
– NEIL WILSON ILLUSTRATION/TIMES
Chamber executive director David D. Hull (top left), FVRD chair Patricia Ross and Mayor George Peary are examining Abbotsford’s options.
Abby aiming to leave FVRD ROCHELLE BAKER RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com
A
bbotsford city council is likely to vote to withdraw from the Fraser Valley Regional district, says Mayor George Peary. City staff has recommended that Abbotsford leave the regional district as it pays close to half of the funding for many of FVRD’s key services, but most benefits go to smaller rural
Taking our hospital debt with us
communities. Peary said Abbotsford had an obligation to pursue options that reduce its taxpayers’ burden. “I believe the majority of council will support [the idea],” he said. “It’s nothing personal. It’s just business from our perspective, and we’re just trying to get good
value for money.” The city could save between $800,000 and $1.4 million per year, stated a staff report. The savings would primarily come from areas of general government, regional development, and solid waste management. The Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce came out with a report last week recommending
First reported @
abbotsfordtimes.com the city withdraw from the district, but the city has been considering the move from as early as last July when staff submitted a closed report to council on the matter. Abbotsford paid $2.5 million for services from the FVRD including the emergency 911 see FVRD, page A7
“When the big guy weighs in on this, it ain’t going to be pretty,” MacDonald offered. Three vehicles parked outside two Abbotsford churches were targeted by thieves interested in vehicle registration documents and garage door openers, he said. In one case a driver’s address and garage door opener were pilfered, and the thieves later used the information and device to break into the victim’s residence and steal some electronics and jewelry. There have been thefts from church parking lots in the past, said MacDonald. However, it’s the first time vandalizing the car has been used as part of the modus operandi. “Presumably, the suspects wanted to ensure they had more time to commit the break and enter as the owner is forced to deal with their disabled vehicle.” Investigators believe there are at least two suspects involved in the scheme. Officers doing a neighbourhood canvas following the robbery at the home received reports of two “gangster-looking” men and a dark-coloured sedan. Police have warned all Abbotsford churches about the tactics and are looking into possible suspects. Residents shouldn’t keep valuables with them or in their cars, and any suspicious activity in parking lots should immediately be reported to police, said MacDonald.
Book Your Bottle Drive Now! Full Refund Paid | Free Pick-up | Immediate Payment Free Bottle Drive Kit Book on line at www.regionalrecycling.ca or call 604.852.9152
750 Riverside Road, B.C. Abbotsford