Burnaby RCMP say there's been a rash of break-ins and thefts from homes in the Southwest portion of Burnaby, and they need the public to be more vigilant.
According to a press release from Cpl. Brenda Gresiuk, Burnaby's RCMP crime analysis identified a spike in residential break and enters with a specific modus operandi between Aug. 29 and Sept. 11.
Gresiuk would not say how many homes had been hit but she did say the common thread in the thefts is that they were all done via unlocked doors and open windows between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Gresiuk said local police are working on finding a likely suspect but the spike in break-ins shows that Burnaby residents need to be more careful. Gresiuk recommended a number of crime prevention tips including: Not leaving valuables such as bikes, tools or toys unattended in your yard, always closing and locking your garage or shed when you're not around, leaving doors and windows locked, and making sure your garage door opener is not in plain view.
"It only takes seconds for a thief to get in and get out and grab whatever they can," she said.
Most importantly, Gresiuk said residents need to be watchful and vigilant to prevent crime, which means being on the lookout for "precursor activity" - "Someone lurking about and you're thinking, 'that person doesn't belong,'" she said. "We want to catch these people prior to them doing any crime. If we can prevent crime, that's really our objective."
To report non-emergency suspicious behaviour, call the Burnaby RCMP police complaint line at 604-294-7922
"You are the eyes and ears of the community. You know who should and who should not be in your neighbourhood," Gresiuk said.
www.twitter.com/BrentRichter
