Police warn residents to secure garages

York Regional Police are encouraging citizens to ensure their vehicles and garages are secured after a rash of day and overnight break-ins to garages and the occasional home in Richmond Hill, including Oak Ridges.

Thieves have been targeting bicycles, but have also entered unlocked vehicles and taken money and other valuables.

Entry to the garages has been gained either through unlocked doors or by prying or forcing side doors. On occasion, the suspects have found a spare set of keys inside the house to a vehicle that they have stolen, often when the homeowner is asleep.

Police encourage residents to: + Lock their garages, including the side door entrances; + Do not leave automatic garage door openers in plain view; + Do not leave garages open and unattended, even if they are at home or in the backyard; + Lock their vehicles, even in their garage; + Do not hide extra keys within or on their vehicles, as it is an easy target for thieves; + Do not leave valuables or important documents in the vehicle; + Do not leave a spare set of keys on a hook or in an area near the door.