Calgary, AB,
18
March
2015
|
11:52
America/Denver

Man charged for garage break and enters in south Calgary

The Calgary Police Service has charged a man in connection with a series of thefts in the communities of New Brighton and Walden.

Between Monday, March 2, 2015, and Friday, March 6, 2015, items were stolen from four different garages after someone entered through an open or unlocked door. During this time a resident also spotted a man under his truck with a saw. It is believed this was the same person, and he fled when he was confronted by the resident.

Dylan Allan GONTAR, 22, of Calgary, has been charged with four counts of break and enter, four counts of trafficking in property obtained by crime, and one count of tampering with a motor vehicle. The investigation is still ongoing and more charges may still be laid.

There continues to be a large number of garage break and enters in south Calgary. There were 65 detached garage break and enters in District 8 during January and February this year, compared to only 15 during the same time last year. Car prowling is also on the rise with 281 reported incidents this year, compared to 160 last year.

Police are reminding residents that the best way to protect property in garages is to always close and lock the doors. Automatic garage door openers should also not be left in vehicles where they can be easily accessed. These openers are frequently being found during car prowlings and used to access attached and detached garages, sometimes making it possible to steal property from both the garage and home.

In addition to thoroughly investigating reports of break and enters, police have also increased patrols in areas where this is a problem and are stopping to speak to residents of houses where doors are found left open.

Anyone who is a victim of a break and enter is encouraged to contact the police as soon after the incident as possible.