Police warn of increase in residential break and enters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, November 8, 2024       11:20 am

(Ottawa)—Over the past few weeks, the Ottawa Police Service Break and Enter Unit has seen an increase of residential break-ins where investigators believe organized crime groups are responsible.

These groups are targeting homes that are accessible from the rear of the property via greenspace, forested areas, trails, and golf courses. They mainly enter through second floor windows or doors using a collapsible ladder that they bring themselves or use the homeowner’s ladder. They have also used patio furniture to gain access to the second floor.

This method of entry is all to avoid detection of main floor cameras that many homes have namely, doorbell cameras or perimeter cameras that are pointed toward the ground levels.

Investigators have typically seen:

• At least two suspects involved, wearing all dark clothing (masks, hooded sweatshirts, athletic attire) while carrying backpacks;
• It is believed that they will have parked their vehicles, in some cases, more than a kilometer away then walk to get to their target residence;
• They tend to use stolen or rental vehicles;
• These groups are primarily targeting high end jewelry and currency;
• The break-ins have occurred both in daytime and nighttime hours;
• In some instances, they have thrown pebbles at rear windows as a test to see if anyone is home

The Ottawa Police Service is urging people to be vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity, if you witness a crime in progress, call 9-1-1.

We also recommend that people with jewelry and/or currency use safety deposit boxes, or a very secure safe that cannot be removed from the home. Please be mindful of leaving second floor windows and doors opened or unlocked. Finally, the repositioning or addition of second floor security cameras and backyard cameras is also recommended.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Break and Enter Unit at 613-236-1222, at extension 4533.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.

-30- 

Through the Community Safety Data portal data.ottawapolice.ca, members of the public can view, download, and interact with data released by the Ottawa Police Service.

CONTACT:

Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366