The Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) is advising residents of a string of recent residential break and enters in the Town of Oakville. With the holiday season approaching, the HRPS is concerned about the potential for more of these types of crimes.
Police believe the person(s) responsible for these Residential Break and Enters are also responsible for numerous similar occurrences across the Greater Toronto Area
The majority of entries are occurring in the evening hours between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM, while residences are unoccupied. Residences are primarily being targeted for jewelry and cash.
The Halton Regional Police Service would like to provide residents with tips on how to secure homes and discourage potential thieves:
- Properly secure valuable jewelry in safety deposit boxes, or in non-traditional areas of their homes (e.g. remove valuables from bedrooms).
- Advise a neighbour if you are going to be away for an extended period of time. Request neighbours pick up deliveries (papers, mail, etc.).
- Ensure all doors and windows are locked, including the garage.
- Remove remote controlled garage door openers from vehicles parked in your driveway. These can provide easy access to your home.
- Attempt to make your residence appear occupied even if you are not at home (timers on lights, leaving a radio or television on, close window coverings).
- Deadbolt your front door using extra locks with at least three inch screws to reinforce the secondary door and door frame.
- Consider adding window security film to glass.
- Secure any items around your property that can make it easier for criminals to break into your residences (e.g. ladders, lawn furniture, tools, etc.).
- Protect yourself and your neighbours by reporting any suspicious activity in your neighbourhood. This includes person(s) and vehicle descriptions (including licence plate numbers if possible).
Police request that residents DO NOT confront or approach any persons they believe to be involved in criminal activity.
We appreciate and require the community's assistance with these Residential Break and Enters. The Halton Regional Police Service is working diligently to combat these crimes and will continue to conduct extra patrols in marked and unmarked vehicles.
Anyone with information regarding these Residential Break and Enters is asked to contact investigators at 905-825-4747 ext 2216.Tips can be forwarded to Crime Stoppers; "See Something, Hear Something, Say Something" at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.crimestoppers.ca or by texting "Tip201" with your message to 274637 (crimes).