Police investigating theft of batteries and vandalism to railway control boxes

Island District, Nanaimo

2023-10-31 15:40 PDT

File # 2023-36509

The Nanaimo RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance with an investigation into a number of thefts of batteries from railway control boxes. The thefts have occurred between August to October and to date, there have been 5 reported thefts in the Nanaimo area. The thefts are part of a broader island wide series of thefts that range from Langford to Comox Valley, and it is estimated that the cost to repair the boxes and replace the batteries is in the range of $800,000.

The most recent theft occurred sometime overnight on Thursday October 19, 2023, near the intersection of Comox Road and Kennedy. The thefts are occurring late at night, and in most cases, there are no witnesses or CCTV in the area to assist with the investigation, said R/Cst Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.

The public is asked to be on the look out for any suspicious activity around railway control boxes late at night. The thefts would most likely involve multiple people, and the suspects may be passing themselves off as construction workers and could even be wearing high vis vests.

If anyone has information on any of these thefts, please call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.

Released by

R/Cst Gary O'Brien

Email: gary.obrien@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: nanaimo.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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