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Ground-floor grinch entering unlocked homes

Saanich Police report a string of break and enter incidents on ground level sliding glass patio doors in the Shelbourne and McKenzie area

Saanich Police are warning residents, specifically those with ground-floor sliding doors, to be aware of several break and enters that have occurred prior to Christmas near Shelbourne Street.

In two of the crimes, on Dec. 22, an unknown suspect entered ground-level  suites through the sliding patio glass doors. No individuals were home during the incidents. In one, a sliding glass door was pried open but little appeared to have been removed from the apartment except for $15 in cash.

Following a break-in on the 3800 block of Shelbourne Street, residents returned home to find gifts missing from under the tree. Sgt. Steve Eassie with Saanich Police said the patio door was ajar and the exterior door frame had been pried open.

Reported missing was a book, two sample boxes from David’s Tea, a metal flask wearing an ornate Christmas sweater and some boxes of chocolates. The suspect also made off with an iPad Mini, which was left in plain view in the bedroom, as well as approximately $500 in cash.

Eassie said there is no direct nexus between these events and a string of ground-floor apartment break-ins that occurred in early December in the Shelbourne corridor.

“There is nothing to suggest they are linked, other than the entry through the glass door. This is a good reminder that we see these events from time to time, and for residents to make sure valuables aren’t left in plain view. Don’t leave an iPad in direct visibility of a window where people could pry in.”

An additional break-in was reported just prior to Christmas from a tool rental store in the 1500 block of Cedar Hill Cross Road.

Five Stihl chainsaws were reported missing.

Numerous officers responded to the store’s early morning alarm. A VicPD K9 was deployed in an attempt to track the suspect but with negative results. Video surveillance showed two males used a pry bar to enter through the front door after they used flashlights to look into the store for  three minutes.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Saanich Police’s non-emergency line, 250-475-4321.