While local police have been addressing a spate of vehicle break-ins in Tsawwassen that transpired this past weekend, they also rescued two children trapped in a vehicle on Canada Day.

Delta Police announced today (July 4) that they responded to a call just before 5 p.m. on July 1 about two small children locked in a vehicle in the Tsawwassen Mills parking lot.

Bystanders had previously attempted to direct the older child, who is five years old, to unlock the door, but the child was unable to open the door.

The youngest, a three-year-old child, was breathing irregularly and strapped into a car seat which was positioned in direct sunlight.

Officers were forced to break the driver's side window in order to free the children, who were crying, sweating profusely, and had red faces, from the overheating vehicle.

The children were given water while being cooled off with air conditioning in a police cruiser before they were taken to hospital where they were treated and have since been released.

Police spoke with the children's father about the dangers of leaving a child in a vehicle during warm temperatures.

Police will be recommending criminal charges to the Crown, and have also advised the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

Meanwhile, Delta police also issued warning today to Tsawwassen residents about a series of vehicle break-ins that took place at night on July 2 and 3.

Vehicle break-ins, primarily from unlocked vehicles, were reported from the:

• 100 block of English Bluff;
• 100 block of Tsawwassen Beach Road;
• 4900-5100 block of 1^st Avenue;
• and the 100-200 block of 49^th Street.

Thefts from unlocked garages and carports were also reported in these areas, in addition to the 5000 block of Wallace Avenue.

Items stolen include wallets, a passport, a laptop, sunglasses, speakers, a bike, a tool bag, tools, and golf clubs.

Delta police stated in a news release that they increased patrols in the area as they began to receive reports on July 3.

Police are advising residents to take all keys and garage door openers from vehicles, lock all vehicle and garage doors, remove all personal items from vehicles, and park in secure or well-lit areas at night.

Anyone who has information about these thefts is asked to call the Delta Police non-emergency-line at 604-946-4411.