An unlocked front yard gate and an unguarded toy car proved a tempting lure for an unidentified woman with sticky fingers.
On Thursday morning, the Tung family discovered their son’s car had been removed from the front porch of their northwest home. The vintage car was a gift from the parents to their son on his second birthday. At the time, the child was too small to ride the car and it was only a week ago the boy, now four years old, began to enjoy his new ride.
“It’s a bit more emotional because it’s his first car that we gave him and it’s a nice memory that we have,” said Zaneta Tung, the child’s mother.
The Tung home has a front gate with a lock but the lock was not secured Wednesday night. A camera attached to the family’s home captured the early morning theft.
“We have surveillance video so we could see that some lady came and took it.”
Cst. Carter Duchesney of the Crime Prevention Unit says crimes of opportunity are more prevalent during the summer months.
“Criminals enjoy warm weather, they become more active in the summer,” said Cst. Duchesney. “We recommend people lock away all of their valuables in their garage and don’t leave things on your porch.”
“Enjoy your things during the day but make sure they’re secure at night.”
Zaneta says her son ‘was sad but he didn’t cry’ when he learned of the theft.
“It’s a thing. We’re not really worried about the car,” said Zaneta. ““It’s not a huge crime but, at the same time, it feels very unsafe with kids around in the neighbourhood.”
When asked if they would like the toy returned, Zaneta says she would love that but her priority is ensuring the community remains a safe place.
“I just hope that we would find who took it just for the sake of that not happening again.”
Anyone with information about the theft, including the identity of the woman in the surveillance video, is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service at 403-266-1234.
