Regina police report rise in break-ins, thefts from vehicles

The Regina Police Service is urging people not to make things easy for thieves.

Police said there has been a marked increase in the number of break-and-enters and thefts in the city over the past two months, prompting police to remind people to close their windows and to lock their doors and vehicles.

On Thursday, police said in a media release that there have been 80 break-and-enters to residences, garages and sheds in the city and 117 thefts from vehicles since May 1.

The release said in 55 per cent of the break-ins, the houses or garages weren’t locked and 45 per cent of the buildings were unsecured, with a problem with a lock or something similar. Many of the items taken included sports equipment, high-end tools and technology like laptops.

The vast majority of the thefts from vehicles — 97 per cent — involved a vehicle that wasn’t locked. The other three per cent of the vehicles weren’t secured, with their windows left open or something along those lines.

Police said items commonly taken in those thefts were wallets and garage door openers. Pilfering those latter items can lead to garage and home break-ins.

The release added there’s a threat to personal safety that comes with leaving doors of homes unlocked.

“A recent case reported to police involved a suspect gaining entry to a home through an unlocked door and assaulting the homeowners in the middle of the night,” the release said. “The suspect was arrested and charged with break and enter and commit assault.”