Garage and shed break-ins up as weather warms, police say

Ottawa police are reporting an increase in the number of break-ins to unsecured sheds and garages across the city as the weather warms and lawn mowers, barbecues, bicycles and other outdoor items become more attractive to thieves.

Police are reminding residents to ensure sheds and garages are properly secured to prevent thefts. Garage doors should be left closed when unattended. An unsecured door on an attached garage can also allow entry to a home, police add.

Police said residents should keep a record of the brands, models and serial numbers of highpriced belongings, and unique identifiers or markers on the items are helpful in recovering them if they are stolen.

Photographs of unique items — a high-end bicycle, for example — can assist investigators, and with the use of social media, can be quickly disseminated by police to a significant number of people in the community in an attempt to get stolen property back.

Anyone with information about a break-in is asked to call the Ottawa police at 613-236-1222, ext. 4533.

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers tollfree at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).