Advertisement

Surrey RCMP issue warning after spike in brazen break-and-enters

Click to play video: 'Surrey RCMP warn about spike in break-ins'
Surrey RCMP warn about spike in break-ins
Surrey RCMP are warning homeowners about thieves who break into homes, sometimes when the owners are asleep inside, by stealing garage door openers. Catherine Urquhart reports – Oct 17, 2019

Surrey RCMP say they have seen an increase in break-and-enters, many of which happen while people are asleep inside their homes.

RCMP said there were 26 break-and-enters in August and 24 last month, compared to 13 in July.

Click to play video: 'Edmonton police reiterate: don’t leave garage door openers in cars!'
Edmonton police reiterate: don’t leave garage door openers in cars!

Police said many of the break-ins occurred while residents were at home, often during the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Story continues below advertisement

The majority of the break-ins occurred after thieves get a garage door opener from vehicles parked in the driveway. Once inside the garage, they get into the house through unlocked doors or by finding a spare key.

RCMP are offering the following tips to secure their home:

  • do not keep a garage door opener inside the vehicle
  • ensure the garage door closes tightly and is locked at all times
  • install a deadbolt on the door that leads from the garage to the house, and
  • routinely secure all doors and windows before going to bed.

Sponsored content

AdChoices