Public Advisory: Avoid Break & enters into sheds & garages

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 7, 2019   8:30am 

(Ottawa) —With the arrival of warmer weather, the Ottawa Police Service Break & Enter Unit is anticipating an increase in the number of break & enters to insecure sheds and garages across the City. It takes moments to enter a garage or shed and make off with commonly stored items within, such as powered yard equipment and bikes. 

Residents are reminded that the best deterrent to avoid this situation is to ensure your sheds and garages are properly secured. Garage doors should be left closed when left unattended for a period of time. An insecure garage door can also facilitate entry to the residence. 

In the event of a break & enter, investigators are greatly assisted when important information about property is properly recorded. Police will ask about the availability of make, model & serial numbers of stolen property, and/or unique identifiers where relevant. 

Additionally, photographs of unique items or items again with unique identifiers, such as higher end bikes, assists investigators and increases the potential of the successful recovery of the stolen property. With the advent of social media, images of unique stolen property can also be quickly disseminated by the police to a significant number of people in the community. 

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Anyone with information regarding a break & enter is asked to call the Ottawa Police’s Break & Enter Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 4533. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 or at crimestoppers.ca.

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CONTACT:

S/Sgt. Stephanie Burns

Robbery/Break & Enter Units

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5408