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Durham Regional police are warning residents after a string of break-ins they say were committed by suspects posing as landscapers.
The group has targeted at least 11 homes in Clarington since April, Const. Nicholas Gluckstein told CBC News.
Several more incidents have happened in Ajax and Pickering, but Gluckstein said police are still determining the exact number. He said the most recent incident happened this month.
The suspects target homes that are backed onto parks, trails and greenspaces, police said in a post on social media platform X.
Police have released an image of the suspects. They often carry landscaping or tradespeople tools, Gluckstein said.
“They’re really just trying to pull the proverbial sheepskin over the residents’ eyes and sneak around everybody’s neighbourhood,” he said.
Gluckstein said the break-ins happen during daylight hours. Police believe the suspects are targeting homes they expect to be unoccupied.
In some incidents, the suspects have entered homes by smashing glass sliding doors at the back of homes, Gluckstein said.
They have also used ladders from either the victim’s backyard or a neighbouring yard to enter windows on the second floor, he said.
Residents advised to stay alert, store ladders
In many of these incidents, the suspects have successfully stolen a variety of items, including electronics, cash and jewelry, Gluckstein said. That includes one incident where they stole over $40,000 worth of jewelry from a home.
Gluckstein said police haven’t had any reports of victims being threatened or injured.
He said there have been incidents where residents were home when the suspects broke in.
“When … suspects do realize that, they immediately flee the area,” he said, adding the suspects aren’t looking to confront the homeowners.
Police are urging homeowners to make sure their doors and windows are properly secured, and to consider installing security cameras.
Residents are also asked to store tools such as ladders in places where they are not easily accessible.
Police say at least two suspects were involved in each incident, but they have not yet determined whether it was the same two people in every case.
The suspects are described as male and wearing medical masks, baseball hats, dark-coloured shorts, t-shirts and gloves. They carry backpacks and may also be carrying landscaping work tools.
The police investigation is ongoing, Gluckstein said.
Anyone with information, including video surveillance footage, is asked to contact police.