Centretown residents should be on alert after a flurry of unusual apartment thefts, Ottawa police said March 7.
Sgt. Steve Gardner of the police’s break and enter unit said there have been a number of robberies in the west, east and south ends of the city in the last month, and the suspects remain at large.
Police note that the break-ins start simply. The suspects are let into an apartment building by an unsuspecting resident or when a door is left ajar. Then the culprits use a shaved key known as a “bump key” to pick individual unit locks.
Unlike picking the lock and damaging it, a bump key leaves the lock unharmed. Gardner added that picking locks takes more skill.
“The bump key has been around for several years, but this is the first time we’ve seen a considerable number of break and enters in a short period of time using that method,” he said.
It’s illegal to possess a bump key because the Criminal Code considers it a burglary tool.
In some cases, tenants reported suspicious individuals knocking on their door and providing fake stories when they answered, Gardner said.
“People in apartment buildings need to be aware of their surroundings. When coming and going from buildings themselves make sure they are not letting people in they don’t know,” said Gardner. “Obviously if a stranger comes knocking at your door asking for someone else or with a request that seems out of the ordinary, try to get as much of a description as possible and give us a call.”
Gardner said the suspects are stealing things that can be carried away easily like laptops, camera, jewelry and cash.
Gardner said they have a few leads, but could not comment further. However, he said the motive seems to be consistent.
He added that if people see any suspicious behaviour they should call 613-236-1222, ext. 2636.