Break and Enter While Owner Cutting Grass

The Owen Sound Police Service is investigating a daytime break and enter into a west side home.

Owen Sound Police Service Inspector Stephen MacKinnon stated, “Yesterday afternoon, a residence was broken into and a quantity of jewelry was stolen while the owner was out cutting the grass in his backyard. When he went back into his house he discovered the theft of some jewelry.”

So far the investigation, being conducted by the Criminal Investigation Branch with assistance from the Uniformed Branch and the Forensic Identification Branch, has revealed that the home owner had someone come to his front door. When he answered it a woman was standing there, handed him a pamphlet and walked away. The owner then went and cut his grass. Approximately fifteen minutes later he went back into his home only to discover the theft.

“The use of a ruse, such as a pamphlet, is common among thieves who do these daytime break-ins. First they will knock on the door to see if anyone answers it. If a person comes to the door, the thief will hand them a pamphlet or make an excuse that they are there to canvass for a charity or organization. The thief then turns and leaves. In this case we believe the thief did not completely leave the area so when she, or her accomplice heard the lawn mower start she went back and into the home,” said MacKinnon.

To reduce the risk of becoming a victim, Owen Sound Police want to remind everyone to ensure their front doors are locked even if they are sitting or working in their back or side yards. Also, there are a lot of people who go door-to-door for legitimate and worthwhile reasons/causes, and those people should be wearing proper identification or be able to produce identification when asked.

Anyone in the city who has experienced a similar ruse in the last couple of days whereby they felt uneasy or suspicious of a person at their door but did not report it to police are asked to call the Owen Sound Police Service at 519-376-1234 extension 173.

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