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Cat burglars target Heritage Hills in Okanagan Falls

OKANAGAN FALLS — Thieves have disrupted the peace in a quiet Okanagan Falls neighbourhood. In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Penticton RCMP say crooks broke into about nine cars and even some homes in Heritage Hills.

“People are obviously upset. They feel violated,” says Doug Lychak with the Heritage Hills/Lakeshore Highlands Homeowner’ Association. “Apparently the same kind of criminal activity is existing in Kaleden and [other parts of] OK Falls, so I don’t think our area is targeted. I think it is a group targeting the suburban areas around Penticton.”

Police believe the intruders strategically looked for unlocked cars and once they got inside, they would look for a garage door opener.

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For many of the homes, the door separating the garage and home was locked.

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But the burglars were able to gain access into one of them, while the residents were fast asleep.

People in the neighbourhood say they’re shocked by the brazen break-in.

“That’s pretty scary,” says Shaun Heck.

“It’s obviously a fairly affluent area and it will attract people who will want to steal your goods,” says Don Whittaker, another resident.

RCMP say the thieves stole mostly credit cards and are cautioning people should be aware of what they leave inside their vehicles at night.

Lychak says historically, the area doesn’t see much crime but that’s changed in the last couple of years.

He’s hoping increased police presence will deter thieves. The association will be meeting with RCMP officers later this month.

In the meantime, mounties say they are working on some leads and continue to investigate.

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