York Regional Police is warning residents to be wary of a distraction-style break-and-enter following an incident at a Markham house yesterday.
A boy aged 10 to 12 came to the front door of a house at Rodick Road and 16th Avenue on Dec. 13 around noon, telling the person who answered that he had kicked a ball over the fence and needed help accessing the backyard to retrieve it.
No ball was found when the resident went with the child to the yard. The child then departed, and as the resident returned to the front of the house, a man was seen leaving the residence, police said.
The investigation revealed that as the resident took the child to the backyard, a man emerged from a hiding spot and entered the house through the unlocked front door. The suspect went through some rooms, stole cash from a purse and then exited the front door.
Police believe a suspect arrived in the neighbourhood in a black 2020 Honda Civic with a faded licence plate.
Police obtained a photo of the suspect from security footage and are releasing it to the public.
Suspect one is a white man, aged in his 30s, 5 foot 6 inches, with scruffy facial hair, who was wearing a black hoodie, black ball cap and black track pants with a stripe down the side.
The second suspect is a white boy, aged 10 to 12, 4 foot 8 inches, medium build, who was wearing a black jacket and black pants with a white stripe on the side, and spoke English with an accent.
Police received another report of a similar situation that occurred on Dec. 6 at about 4:25 p.m., in the area of McCowan Road and Raymerville Drive. In that case, a boy and a girl told the occupant of a house that they lost a ball in the backyard. The complainant felt it was suspicious and refused to co-operate. The children left and no ball was found.
Although no theft occurred, police are trying to determine if there is a link between the incidents. The investigation is ongoing.
Any witnesses or anyone with video recordings from home security systems or dashcam devices are asked to contact police as soon as possible. Information can be provided to the York Regional Police No. 5 District Criminal Investigations Bureau by calling 1-866- 876-5423, ext. 7541. Alternatively, information may also be given anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 222-TIPS or going online.
