Vehicle vandals cost Prince Albert man $4,000

For the fourth time in just over a month, Prince Albert’s Albin Mathew has been forced to call the claims office and report vandalism to his vehicle.

The damages and the subsequent rentals have cost the 35-year-old roughly $4,000. Mathew attends business classes at Sask Polytech and also relies on a vehicle for work as a delivery driver.

“If I have a car then I can work but if I don’t have a car, I’m not making any money. I lost nearly 10 working days,” he said.

The four incidents occurred in the 300 block of 28th St. E. on Nov. 1, Nov. 22, Nov. 29 and Dec. 5. Two of the incidents have involved Mathew’s BMW car, while the other, including the most recent, involved a rental car. The vandals smashed the windshield with what appeared to be some sort of tire iron, and slashed all four tires. It was all recorded by a neighbour’s security camera.

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Prince Albert Police have confirmed the incident is currently under investigation.

While also acknowledging the fact he is currently renting, and could therefore move if he wanted, Mathew replied he likes Prince Albert and also dismissed any thoughts about moving to a different address in the city.

“Why should I get afraid and move from this place because that would be like a victory for them. I don’t want to lose so I’m going to stay in the same place,” he said.

Despite paying the insurance, Mathew said the rental car agency is still forcing him to pay the cost of the tires and the windshield. (submitted photo/Albin Mathew)

Three of the incidents occurred within five feet of the home’s side door. (submitted photo/Albin Mathew)

According to the most recent crime statistics from the Prince Albert Police Service there have been 775 incidents of mischief/willful damage this year. This was for the period ending Oct. 31 and represents a six per decrease from the same time period in 2019.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell