Ottawa Police warning about series of break and enters targeting Asian/South Asian homes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 5, 2023   3:50 pm         

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service’s (OPS) Break and Enter Unit is warning the public about a series of daytime break and enters in homes in North Kanata, Manotick, and Halfmoon Bay areas.

“We have received 16 reports recently in regard to residential break ins, with 12 of those incidents occurring over a three-day period last week,” said Staff Sergeant John Ferguson. “Most of these incidents involve properties belonging to South Asian and Asian residents who have religious decorations on their properties.”

The suspects, described as four Black males without any discernable accent, ages 20 to 30, will approach a residence without a car in the driveway and knock on the door. If a resident answers, they will say they are soliciting business such as offering to do lawn care, and when told no will immediately leave.

“If nobody answers the door, as we have seen on doorbell camera video, they will leave and come back a short time later and forcibly gain access to the residence,” said Staff Sergeant Ferguson. 

The Break and Enter Unit is working with other police agencies who have been responding to similar calls in their jurisdiction.

“Be smart when answering your door, ask them to provide identification or a business card to validate who they say they are,” said Ferguson. “If they can’t provide information, the moment they leave, please dial 911 so we can dispatch officers.”

The suspects are believed to be driving a grey Nissan Pathfinder with tinted windows and are using a stolen licence plate CWNL 816 (see photos).

Anyone with information is asked to call the Ottawa Police Break and Enter Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 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:

Media Relations Section                  

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, October 3^rd , 2023  5:37 pm

Suspects to identify in daytime residential break ins - a 2^nd vehicle to locate

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service Break and Enter Unit is looking for public assistance to locate a 2^nd vehicle, possibly a light grey or green Nissan Pathfinder, involved in a daytime break and enter today in Kanata (see stock photos). The suspect vehicle has no roof rack, unlike the stock images.

All suspects are males of average height and weight, wearing masks and gloves and may also be wearing orange visibility vests as well as hoodies.

Anyone with information as to the identity of the suspects or the involved vehicles, is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Break and 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:       

Media Relations Office

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, September 28, 2023  1:30 pm

Suspects to identify in daytime residential break ins 

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service Break and Enter Unit is looking for public assistance to identify three suspects involved in multiple break and enters that have occurred between September 24^th and 27^th in Barrhaven and the south end of Ottawa.

Throughout the daytime hours of September 24^th through 27^th they have broken into several houses. Each time they parked a black truck in the driveway.

Three of the four suspects exit the truck and force their way into the house when they do not receive a response at the front door, while the fourth suspect stays in the truck.

All the suspects are males of average height and weight and were wearing masks and gloves at the time of the break ins.

The truck is described as a black 4-door Dodge Ram 1500 pick-up with a chrome rear bumper, front grill and wheels, deep tinted windows, using stolen Ontario licence plate BC22409 (see photo).

The Ottawa Police Service is reminding residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving similar vehicles at homes in their communities to police.

Anyone with information as to the identity of these individuals, or information about this incident, is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Break and 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:       

Media Relations Office

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366