It may be hard to not put matters into your own hands when dealing with the theft of your property but RCMP are advising those that may have leads as to where their stolen items might be to leave it to law enforcement.

More and more thefts have been occurring in towns and out in rural communities with eventual clues showing up on the Internet.

Okotoks RCMP Sgt. Sukh Randhawa says when a theft is reported, there's already somebody surrounding the investigation looking at all different ways that item may be on the market for some quick cash for criminals.

"We are actually seeing an increase in that kind of activity where things have been stolen such as trucks or tools mostly from job sites," he says. "Later on the owner of these items will find their belongings on Kijiji for sale."

Sometimes you may find your own items online and may want to go get them yourself with some help but Randhawa says that's not the best move, calling the RCMP is.

"The RCMP will always advise not to go and approach these people to buy their items back. Always report with the RCMP we have in process in place where we can assist the public to reach to these individuals to go and seize that stolen property."

Randhawa says you never know what you're up against if you try to take matters into your own hands.

"Safety is a huge thing, if you are going to approach these individuals on your own to buy your own property, you never know what dangers you're getting yourself into. The other thing is the RCMP has a mechanism to go buy these properties back with the evidence that they need to collect to prosecute those involved, in court.

If you have had something stolen from you and have reported it to police, Randhawa says if you discover new evidence their lines are always open.

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