RCMP in Cochrane are urging all residents to check their windows and doors before they turn in for the night after a string of break and enters in Sunset Ridge and Bow Ridge Oct. 19.
“On the 19th of October, in the early morning hours, we had reports of five break and enters. The point of entry – people had left their windows and/or doors unlocked,” Sergeant Jeff Campbell said.
The windows that were left open were on the ground level of the residences, according to Campbell.
“If you do leave them open there are certain measures you can take to keep them from physically opening, especially sliding windows,” he said.
“You can insert screws underneath so (the windows) can’t be lifted out and a screw that will allow you to leave a fraction of (the window) open but not be able to slide it all the way.”
Campbell said it’s also important residents lock and deadbolt the door between the home and an attached garage, as thieves will use these to enter a home. He also recommends investing in outdoor security lighting.
“(Thieves) don’t want to be seen so they use the cover of darkness. If they climb onto a back porch and the lights don’t come on in the middle of the night or early morning hours then no one sees them,” he said.
“They use back alleys, too. No one watches back alleys. We always tell people, ‘if you see an unknown vehicle running in a back alley, please call us.’ We’ll check it out.”
Campbell said the values and types of items taken from the homes hit in this recent rash of break and enters are not being released as this information would be known only to the suspects and can be used to confirm who is responsible once there is an arrest.
At one of the residences in Sunset Ridge, the suspects were confronted by the homeowner.
“The lady homeowner interrupted two suspects who were inside the house,” Campbell said. “Once they heard her they fled and were seen getting into a waiting vehicle. Unfortunately, we don’t have a make or model of the vehicle due to it being dark.
“Basically, she heard a noise, came downstairs and found them in her kitchen,” he added.
“We are working with her to obtain a better description. She couldn’t tell us much just due to the shock. We will be working our composite sketch artist and getting descriptions out.”
According to Campbell, the composite sketch should be ready to be distributed by the end of the week of Oct. 26.
“We believe all five (break and enters) are related just basically from the methods of entries and the proximity, plus just the simple fact that a vehicle is being used,” he said. “We do have a couple of leads that we’re following up on.”
If you have any information on any crime, call your local RCMP detachment or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at tipsubmit.com
