York Regional Police warn of rash of robberies in Thornhill area

YorkRegion.com
Aug. 6, 2014

York Regional Police want to warn you about several break and enters that have occurred in the Thornhill area in the past few months.

Since June, police said nine thefts have been reported at residential properties in the area of Clark Avenue West and New Westminster Drive.

Police are investigating if these robberies are linked to a series of similar crimes dating back to October.

In most cases, the home owners were away on holidays when the thieves struck, police said.

Bandits would gain entry by forcing doors or breaking windows, police said, adding thefts have occurred late at night or early in the morning.

In more recent cases, thieves have cut alarm wires and removed sensors from walls before taking cash, jewelry and portable electronics.

Police offer the following crime prevention tips:

• Do not announce your travel plans or absence from home on social media or your phone’s voicemail;

• If you are going away on vacation or an extended absence, ask a trusted neighbor to watch your house and make your home looked lived-in by using timer-controlled lights, having mail and/or paper delivery temporarily stopped or delivered elsewhere, having trusted people periodically attend for lawn cutting and garbage can placement and arranging for neighbours to park in your driveway;

• Do not discuss the contents of your home with others or leave boxes/packaging for expensive items on display in recycling bins;

• Install dead-bolt locks on all exterior doors;

• Consider installing a quality security system with motion sensors and/or video monitoring;

• Secure all basement and ground-level windows and patio doors and;

• Trim all shrubs and trees so that doors and windows are in clear view

Be aware of suspicious people or vehicles in your neighbourhood and call police immediately if you are concerned.

If you have information about these robberies, call police at 1-866-876-5423 ext. 7479, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS, leave an anonymous tip online or text YORK and your tip to CRIMES (274637).