38 vehicle thefts this year in Whitehorse

The number of vehicle thefts is down this year in Whitehorse, but RCMP say they remaina serious problem.

About two weeks ago,Gurdeep Pandher woke up to find his SUVgone.

"For a minute or two, I could not believe it," he says. "I was thinking. Where is my car?"

On Nov.17 hecalled police to report the theft and posted his story on social media.

"It's surprising to me that my car got stolen from this safe and small community we all love," he says.

RCMP in Whitehorse say they're investigating Pandher's case. But his missing Ford Escape isn't the only missing vehicle file.

In2012, RCMPreceived 48 reports ofstolen vehicles in Whitehorse. In2013, there were 92.

RCMP Const. DeanHooglandsaysthere have been38 reports of stolen vehiclesso farthis year.Thestatistics include cars, trucks and motorcycles. They don't include the theft of ATVs and snowmobiles, which isalso common.

Hoogland says one prevention measure is obvious don't leave the keys in the car or leave the engine running.

"We could cut these thefts in half, at least, through prevention," he says.

"Not leaving vehicles unattended while running, not leaving your keys in the vehicle, or near the vehicle with easy access."

Pandher says thatadvice doesn't apply in his case.

"I think the people who took my car are very professional because the car keys are right here with me," he says. "How did they drive the car without the key? This is a matter of concern."

RCMP provided statisticsabout the numberof reports in Whitehorse, but not the conclusionof those cases.

Of the 38 vehicles reported stolenthis year, RCMP were not able to sayhow many have beenrecovered, how many were found destroyed, norhow many are still missing.