Businesses broken into using fire department’s key vaults

Victoria police are investigating a string of break-ins at businesses that were carried out by thieves who gained access to Victoria Fire Department master key vaults.

Cylindrical key vaults are on the outside of many commercial and residential buildings; they contain master keys that allow firefighters to access the buildings during a fire or other emergency.

Investigators determined on Sept. 21 that several break-and-enters involved similar methods of entry, with thieves accessing key vaults to enter businesses and steal items.

“Since that time, Victoria Fire Department and Victoria Police Department personnel have worked to confirm the method of entry, link potential similar incidents, gather evidence, conduct investigations and, vitally, secure the key vaults,” said Victoria police spokesman Bowen Osoko. He said the investigation is ongoing so he could not say how many businesses were broken into or what items were stolen.

Deputy Fire Chief Dan Atkinson said all keys that can open the vaults have been accounted for, so it’s unclear how someone gained access. Atkinson said the fire department is working with Victoria police to make sure the key vaults are secure.

In April 2012, a burglar used a fire department master key to steal computers with patient information, $10,000 worth of medical equipment and cash from several medical offices at 1990 Fort St.

Victoria police said a fire department key was also used in other commercial break-ins in early 2012.

That forced the fire department to re-key hundreds of buildings in Victoria and reduce the number of keys that can open the vaults.

In April 2015, the fire department discovered that six access keys were missing from key vaults, but no thefts were reported.

Anyone with information about the recent break-ins can call Victoria police at 250-995-7654 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).