A 91-year-old war veteran is the latest victim of a string of thefts that residents claim are plaguing their neighbourhood.
Harry Hamlyn, who fought in the Second World War, had his mobility scooter stolen overnight Tuesday from his gated underground parking lot in Steveston.
Hamlyn only discovered the theft on Wednesday after he'd hobbled down to retrieve something he'd left in the scooter's basket.
Until the insurance is settled, which could be weeks or even months, the war vet will have to rely on other people picking up one of his many prescriptions and running errands into town.
"I was amazed to be honest, it took me a second or two realize what had happened," Hamlyn said of the theft from Westwater Views on Railway Avenue.
"I went to get something from the basket, but there was no basket, no scooter.
"But there has been a few thefts around here recently, so I guess I shouldn't be that surprised." Hamlyn said he's had the scooter for two years and it's a "real struggle" to get around without it.
"It's a darn nuisance, that's what it is," added Hamlyn.
Fellow Westwater resident Rob Zalik said the scooter theft is the latest in a string from their building over the last year, including that of two electric scooters and a high-end electric bike from a garage.
Zalik said the mini "crime spree" has sparked many neighbours to get each other's phone numbers to alert people if they see something suspicious.
Richmond RCMP's Sgt. Cam Kowalski, although confirming the scooter theft this week, said there doesn't appear to be a pattern which amounts to a mini crime spree. "We do get clusters of break and enters from time to time," he said.
Anyone with information on Hamlyn's scooter should contact Richmond RCMP on 604 278 1212.
