Home surveillance video captures possible car prowler in Calgary’s southeast

WATCH ABOVE: Calgary police say they are stepping up their fight against a staggering increase in property crimes. Global’s Doug Vaessen reports.

CALGARY – Home surveillance video that appears to show a possible car prowler in the southeast community of Chaparral is putting residents on edge amid data that shows a growing, city-wide issue.

“There is no doubt—not just in our district—but across the city, car prowlings are a huge issue to us as a service,” said Calgary Police Sgt. Pete Barker.

Chaparral resident Jon Horne said his car has been broken into three times in the last eight months.

“One time I was lucky enough the cops did catch the guys…got some of our stuff back at least,” said Horne. “It’s just getting worse and worse, it feels like.

“It’s got to the point now where it’s affecting small businesses—people coming to mow our lawn or offer us lawn care, window washing–I see people now who are trying to call the cops on these people because they think that they are the culprits. And we’re losing trust in our community.”

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "It's got to the point now where it's affecting small businesses—people coming to mow our lawn or offer us lawn care, window washing-I see people now who are trying to call the cops on these people because they think that they are the culprits. And we're losing trust in our community."

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Calgary police said in the first half of 2015, residential break and enter crimes have increased by 36 per cent from 2014.

WATCH: Home surveillance video captures possible car prowler in Calgary’s southeast

Chaparral residents said the damage Monday morning (after the surveillance video was taken) was minimal, but police warn about future incidents.

“When people break into your car, they are not just getting into that car for a piece of change. Invariably people have a garage door opener in that car, then they are in the garage and invariably people are leaving the main doors open, so  they are into the house,” said Barker.

Police emphasized the importance of locking your cars, taking the garage door opener with you as you close the garage door, and locking the main door of your home.

“The whole process takes like 20 seconds—at that point your premises is as secure as you can make it,” said Barker.