Theories but no answers as residential break-ins continue in the South Okanagan

PENTICTON – Penticton continues to be plagued by residential break and enters and RCMP are still unsure as to why the spike.

The Penticton detachment continues to respond to calls of household break and enters, which RCMP feels is now at an abnormally high rate for the city, Penticton RCMP police spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says.

Last week, Penticton RCMP detachment Supt. Kevin Hewco noted high rates of property crime when he delivered his fourth quarter report to the regional district board.

Wrigglesworth echoed Hewco’s comments, noting property crimes are on the rise everywhere.

Why they are continuing to rise in Penticton is unknown at this time. A suggestion last week that unshovelled walks and driveways presented a calling card to would-be thieves, indicating vacant residences, doesn’t explain continuing break-ins this week, following several days of rain, rather than snow.

In some cases, stolen vehicles are being used to carry out the crimes.

Wrigglesworth suggests thieves may also be 'casing' properties to see if people are home.

“If suspicious people come to your door with a weird cover story, I’d suggest reporting it to us,” he says, adding jewelry and electronics are choice items on thieves lists.

In the past week, Penticton RCMP responded to five residential break-ins,

On Friday afternoon, Jan. 22, a resident of a Huth Avenue home reported a break and enter. The principal occupants of the house were away, and the daughter of the owners reported the crime to police. It is unknown exactly what was taken at this time. The following day two residences in the 200 block of Yorkton Avenue were broken into. A camera and laptop was stolen from one house, while the other residence was vacant.

A Martin Street resident reported the second break-in to his home this month after returning from a trip out of town on Sunday, Jan. 24. Two televisions and a coffee maker were taken.

Between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., a break-in occurred on Elm Street, in the same vicinity as the Yorkton Avenue break and enters. A gate was pried open and the back door kicked in to gain entrance. It is unclear what, if anything, was taken.

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