Ottawa police issue a warning about a rise in residential break-ins [Video]

The Ottawa Police Service believes organized crime groups are responsible for an increase in residential break-ins at properties backing on to greenspaces across the city in recent weeks.

Police say they received reports of break and enters at homes that are accessible from the rear of the property via forested areas, trails and golf courses. The thieves have been targeting high-end jewelry and cash.

“They mainly enter through second-floor windows or doors using a collapsible ladder that they bring themselves or use the homeowner’s ladder,” police said in a media release. “They have also used patio furniture to gain access to the second floor.”

“This method of entry is all to avoid detection of main floor cameras that many homes have namely, doorbell cameras or perimeter cameras that are pointed toward the ground levels.”