String of break-ins prompt Police warning to lock up
The Calgary Police Service is urging citizens to lock up their vehicles, garages and homes before going to bed after a series of break-and-enters and vehicle thefts.
On Thursday, Sept. 20, 2018 at approximately 1:20 a.m., police were called to a break-and-enter in the 100 block of Evanspark Gardens N.W. Unknown offenders broke into the vehicle parked on the driveway and used the garage door opener found in the vehicle to gain access to the house while the occupants were sleeping. The vehicle was also reported stolen.
On Monday, Sept. 24, 2018, police were called to the first of two break-and-enters. At approximately 3:20 a.m., police were called to a break-and-enter at the 3000 block of Hidden Ranch Way N.W. The offenders gained access to the home and once inside, they located the keys for two vehicles and stole the vehicles.
The second break-and-enter also occurred on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. At approximately 4:10 a.m., police were called to the 200 block of Arbour Ridge Park N.W. The home was occupied and the home owner heard footsteps downstairs. The offender escaped with the victim’s purse and contents.
Police are continuing to investigate all of these occurrences.
With a residential break-and-enter occurring roughly every two-and-a-half hours in Calgary, approximately 44 per cent of cases are preventable with offenders entering through an unlocked door, window or garage, or by stealing a garage door opener from a parked vehicle.
The Calgary Police Service is reminding citizens of the 9PM Routine, a nighttime checklist for people to secure their residences and property before going to bed by:
- Removing valuables and garage door opener from vehicles
- Locking vehicles
- Closing overhead garage doors
- Closing and locking all external doors, especially doors leading from the garage to the house
- Ensuring windows are shut and locked
- Turning on an exterior light
Anyone with information about these cases is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers anonymously through any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org