There has been a rise in break and enters throughout York Region as daylight hours have grown shorter, according to York Regional Police.
Police have responded to 77 break and enters across the region between Nov. 7 and 21. That's the highest number in the two weeks after daylight savings since 2019.
Police stopped a would-be thief in Aurora, who, along with an unidentified partner, attempted to enter a home through a second-storey window with a ladder on Nov. 12. The homeowner called police after receiving an alert from her security system.
Using the helicopter Air2 and teams on the ground, the 30-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with break and enter with intent and trespassing at night. Police are still working to identify the second suspect.
That same night, police responded to another break and enter in Vaughan where three suspects attempted to enter a home by stacking a patio furniture on top of a large heater. All three fled when police arrived and are still outstanding.
In Newmarket, there were no reported break and enters between Nov. 7 and 21, however, there was a break and enter Nov. 23 at about 4 a.m. near Queen and Prospect streets, according to YRP's community safety portal.
“Shorter daylight hours and increased trips away from the house may be making easier targets for enterprising criminals,” said Supt. Russ Bellman, officer in command of #1 District.
He said the past two year people were home more due to the pandemic, but this year is different.
Police have prevention tips for residents to protect their homes from break and enters. They say to install a quality deadbolt lock and always lock doors and windows, even on the second floor, put some interior lights on timers to give thieves the impression you are at home, ask a friend to pick up mail, shovel snow or park in your driveway if you are away, and install a security camera that provides updates to your mobile phone.
Anyone with information about the Aurora break and enter is asked to contact the YRP #1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext.7140, or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips, or leave an anonymous tip online.
