Saanich Police are investigating a number of overnight break and enters to businesses that have occurred over this past week. A total of five businesses have been unlawfully entered during late evening and early morning hours.
In the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 30, a business in the 100 block of Burnside Road West was entered. The suspect forced a hole through a large glass door and entered the business. The business was equipped with an alarm and police responded immediately to the area, arriving just minutes after the notification from the alarm company. Entry to the business was confirmed, but nothing was reported missing. (File 2014-14674).
On Thursday, July 31st, at approximately 8:15 p.m., Police responded to an intrusion alarm at a business in the 500 block of Dupplin Road. The suspect accessed the business by removing a window screen on the second floor, allowing entry to the building tghrough the open window. A Dell latitude laptop computer, a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 phone, and a high definition handheld video camera were stolen. (File 2014-14830)
In the early morning hours of Friday, August 1st, a business in the 3200 block of Quadra Street was entered. A glass door located at the rear of the business was smashed out, which allowed an unknown person to enter the business. Aside from damage to the door and to a desk within the business, nothing appeared to have been taken. (File 2014-14854)
On Sunday, August 3rd, at approximately 4:00 a.m., a business in the 800 block of Tolmie Avenue was entered. A large window at the front of the business was completed smashed out, allowing entry to the business. Upon police arrival, a television from within the business was located on the sidewalk close to the broken window. Investigation determined that approximately four to five other TV’s had been taken from the business. (File 2014-15028)
On Tuesday, August 5th, at approximately 0345 hours, a business at the Royal Oak Plaza in the 4400 block of West Saanich Road was entered. A glass entry door was smashed out, allowing entry to the business. A quantity of cash was stolen from the business. (File 2014-15166)
In all of these cases, attempts by Saanich Police K9 officers to locate any suspects were not successful. It is believed, based on evidence from the scenes, that the suspect(s) may have either been in a vehicle or riding a bicycle.
Investigators are following up with a number of the businesses to review video surveillance footage to attempt to identify the suspect(s).
“There is a strong likelihood that several of these cases are related, given the mode of entry to the businesses” Sgt. Steve Eassie said. “We would ask that anyone who is out in the late evening and early morning hours to be on the lookout for people or vehicles that appear to be out place, especially around closed businesses”.
Anyone with information concerning these investigations are asked to call the Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Sgt. Steve Eassie #158