Police have ‘intelligence’ on recent string of break and enters | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kamloops News

Police have ‘intelligence’ on recent string of break and enters

KAMLOOPS - Break and enters are on the rise according to Kamloops RCMP as they investigate a recent string and bump up surveillance, while encouraging the public to be cautious and observant.

Since April 21 there have been a total of 12 business affected. Entry was not gained in five locations. The highest number of instances has been in the Sahili neighbourhood.

“We certainly are aware of the increase, especially in the recent increase in commercial break and enters, and we are addressing it on a number of fronts,” RCMP Supt. Brad Mueller says, adding, “We do have some intelligence on them.”

Mueller says Const. George Buttles is speaking with businesses in the targeted areas and going over things they can do to minimize the risk. The targeted enforcement unit, crime reduction unit and watches are working together to increase attention to some of these areas as well.

“We’re going to work with auxiliary and Citizens on Patrol to increase our eyes on the street, they will record and report, they’re purely there for observation,” he notes. “They could be anywhere, in an unmarked vehicle, on foot. We will have them strategically placed.”

Mueller adds there is a pattern in some of the recent crimes. Weapons such as utility knives and needles have been prominent in robberies in the two main business districts downtown and on the North Shore.

“I think some are related, though certainly some are a little different in terms of modus operandi (M.O.) but there are some consistencies,” he says. “This seems to be the new (trend)… it’s a new angle. I think it’s a change and a different group.”

Kamloops RCMP is appealing to the community to report anything out of place in their community, all suspicious vehicles, people and activity, in an effort to help curb the rash of break and enters. Anyone with information about the recent break and enters or who has seen anything else suspicious is asked to call the Kamloops RCMP branch at 250-828-3000 or to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477.

-This story was updated at 3:36 p.m. to add more information from an RCMP press release.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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