An Abbotsford man with numerous prior convictions has been charged in relation to three tailgate thefts in 91原创 and Abbotsford.

Const. Ian MacDonald said police are continuing to investigate, and more charges could be forthcoming against David Michael Ahner, 38.

MacDonald said police have received reports of more than 80 stolen tailgates in Abbotsford, Mission, Chilliwack and 91原创 since early 2016.

Most of the thefts involved trucks from the model years 2008 to 2016.

MacDonald said the cost of replacing a tailgate can be as high as $10,000, and most of the stolen tailgates would have been resold.

鈥淭ruck owners are reminded to lock their tailgates as they are more easily stolen when left unlocked,鈥� he said.

Ahner has been charged in relation to the theft of two Ford F-350 tailgates from 91原创 (2016 model vehicles) and one Ford F-350 tailgate (2014 model vehicle) from Abbotsford.

He faces three counts of theft over $5,000 and one charge of driving while disqualified.

According to the provincial court database, Ahner has an extensive criminal record, dating back to the year 2000.

He has numerous prior convictions for offences such as theft, breaching his probation, drug possession, impaired driving, being unlawfully at large and uttering threats.

Ahner is also currently facing several other recent charges before the courts. This includes two charges of possession of stolen property 鈥� one in Abbotsford and one in 91原创 鈥� as well as break-and-enter in 91原创, all from August 2016.

He was also recently charged in Mission with two counts of operating a motor vehicle while disqualified and one count of breaching his bail conditions.

Anyone with information concerning the tailgate thefts is asked to call the Abbotsford Police Department at 604-859-5225 or text 222973 (abbypd).