STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.

Nanaimo RCMP, homeowners grappling with ‘significant spike’ of daytime B&E’s

Dec 12, 2018 | 9:55 AM

NANAIMO — Police are used to break-and-enter crimes increasing during the holidays, but 2018 is proving to be a particularly dangerous time.

Nanaimo RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said police recorded 32 break-and-enter incidents in the first two weeks of December, up from 21 in 2017. 

O’Brien said the “significant spike” is often due to the same lax security measures they see throughout the year: unlocked doors and windows.

“The last break-and-enter where the female was arrested, she simply walked in through the front door,” he said.

The woman was actually found inside a house on Asteria Place by the homeowner, allegedly ready to walk away with a laptop.

O’Brien said she was found nearby with the computer and also items stolen from a nearby grocery store.

She was released on a promise to appear for break-and-enter and theft with a court date scheduled for late January 2019.

It’s similar to an incident earlier in December where a woman walked into a home and was chased away by the homeowners.

Though unlocked doors and windows are an easy target for criminals, O’Brien said secured houses are still being broken into.

“Often what we’re finding now is criminals are going to sheds and using the tools inside to break into homes. Some of the homes are ransacked with a number of items taken. Others, they select a target and are gone.”

Much like with the increase of thefts from cars, O’Brien said the most effective way to curb the rise in thefts is to report all suspicious activity to police.

“Often these people, if they’ve targeted your neighbourhood, they’ve targeted others and are responsible for a number of thefts in our community.”

 

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @nanaimonewsnow