Waterloo Region police are asking for public help to identify whoever is responsible for two dozen break and enters that appear to be targeting Kitchener seniors.
The 24 break-ins have occurred since the beginning of July, mainly in the Rosemount and Heritage Park neighbourhoods of the city.
The homes affected are located on side streets that connect to Weber Street East between Ottawa Street and Fergus Avenue.
In a press release police say they are concerned because “an unusually high umber of persons over 70 years of age have been targeted.”
Waterloo Region police spokesperson Olaf Heinzel adds “It’s concerning to police that many of these incidents have been occurring while the homeowners were at home during the daylight hours.”
The suspect(s) are entering through unlocked doors or forcing doors and cutting screens and some of the break-ins have occurred while the victim was just outside the home.
That’s what happened to an 87-year-old woman who lives in the area. Her name is being withheld for her protection.
She was preparing to water the flowers in her front yard on Monday evening when she heard a bang from the back of her house.
A thief had used a lawn chair to reach a window to climb through and left with some jewelry. The bang was the window slamming shut.
The incident has taken a toll, she says, “I think last night was the first night, I didn’t, I couldn’t really sleep because every noise I hear I imagine it’s somebody breaking in. And that’s the part, it takes so long to get it out of your system.”
A suspicious male was observed at one scene and is described as a white male in his late 40s, 5’8” tall with thick grey hair.
Jewelry and cash appear to be the target and people are reminding residents to secure their homes.
Anyone with information or who has noticed suspicious activity is asked to contact police at 519-650-8500 Ext. 4499 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
