A farm shop break-in near Hanley has prompted a constable with the Outlook detachment of the RCMP to remind people to be vigilant when encountering strangers.

During the early morning hours of Aug. 10 a truck entered a farm located in the Rural Municipality of Rudy. Its occupants broke into a shop at the farm where they stole several items including wrenches, bench clamps and an orbital sander before getting away.

Outlook RCMP Constable Elliot Chubak said a resident of the property discovered the robbery in progress and when he shone a light into the Quonset the crooks took off. He said the robbers managed to steal under $5,000 worth of items before they fled.

Chubak said the resident did not get a good look at the get-away truck and they have no leads at this point. He said this could be different if people report suspicious vehicles to police when they are first encountered.

“The people that do this usually go out scouting first and drive by, go into the yard and ask for directions,” said Chubak. “It’s very important to try and get a plate number and a description.”

This information gives authorities something to look at right away in an investigation, he said, so people should report anything suspicious in the area from strangers selling bibles to asking for hunting information to police.

“It’s a great start for people to notice anybody coming in asking for something just to get a plate number.”

If anyone has any information about the Aug. 10 break-in, the Outlook RCMP is asking them to contact the detachment or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.