Sunny days and terrace-ready afternoons in Westmount also come with wallet thefts. Thieves are picking wallets out of unattended purses in commercial areas of the city.

“There’s a lot,” Station 12 Constable Caroline Gauthier said of the rash of wallet and purse thefts. “It’s a matter of not being prudent. Women leave their bags on terraces. They leave them open. Be aware that it can happen to you. Thieves are quick and very discreet.”

Women who carry big tote-type purses that don’t fasten securely with a zipper have to be extra careful, she added.

When in a café or restaurant, it’s always best to keep your purse closed and either between your feet or in plain sight. In the supermarket, be sure to keep your closed bag close to you at all times.

We've all heard of commemorative plaques and similar objects being stolen for their metal value, but it seems that some thieves will stop at nothing to steal objects that can be melted down.

In three separate incidents, thieves have made off with the floor grills found in the vestibules of Westmount apartment buildings and condominiums.

“Seriously, this is the first time I’ve heard of this happening,” said Gauthier. “But there’s a market somewhere and it may be the start of a trend. Even the officers taking the reports found this strange.”

Gauthier believes the thieves may be selling the grills – often made with aluminum – to recyclers. “Anything to make money,” she noted.

Police are unsure exactly how much money can actually be made from selling the grills, but are currently investigating the case.

If a grill is stolen, Gauthier urges the victim report the crime to police. “Don’t hesitate to call us. We need to know. If you saw someone in the vestibule, it may be our grill thief.”