Date: Friday, September 25, 2020

File: 20-37766

Victoria, BC – Investigators are asking for your help in identifying a man after a break and enter to an underground parkade in which the suspect stole approximately $2,000 worth of property.

On Saturday, September 19th, officers received a report of a break and enter to an underground parkade which had occurred overnight. The victim reported that their vehicle, which was parked in the underground parkade, was broken into, along with their storage locker. The suspect stole approximately $2,000 in property including cycling gear, bicycle wheels, tools, and other items.

A video of the suspect entering and exiting the parkade is available below. The video shows the suspect following a vehicle into the underground parkade. This is a method of entry commonly used by property criminals.

The suspect is described as a 30 to 40-year-old Caucasian man standing approximately five feet, ten inches tall, with a slim build. The suspect wore a dark hooded sweater, toque, and dark pants with reflective markings on the lower leg. The suspect carried a black and yellow backpack. A photograph of the suspect is available below.

Break and enters to underground parkades have risen 40 percent in 2020 for the time period of January 1st to September 14th compared to 2019. In 2019 there were 137 underground parkade break and enters for that time period. In 2020 there have been 194 underground parkade break and enters.

This file illustrates how thieves target storage lockers and vehicles after entering an underground parkade. Once inside, thieves are focussed on high value items such as bicycles, tech, and tools.

There are key steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your property.

  1. Photograph bikes, important tech and tools, and record serial numbers. Email them to yourself to make for an easy to find record in the event they are stolen. Marking these items with contact information also makes it easy for officers to reach you when they recover your stolen property.
  2. Strengthen locks and lighting storage areas. If an item is really high value, it may be safer inside your residence or unit.
  3. Never leave valuables inside a vehicle.
  4. Make your property friendly but clearly private with short hedges, plants, fences and lights.
  5. If you see someone suspicious in your underground parkade, call VicPD’s non-emergency line at 250-995-7654, extension 1.

If you have information about this incident, or recognize this suspect, please call our non-emergency line at (250) 995-7654 and select option 1 for our Report Desk. To report what you know anonymously, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

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