The Abbotsford Police Department is investigating three early-morning break-ins where the suspect(s) entered the homes while the occupants were inside.
In a fourth incident, the culprits were inside when the homeowner returned from work late at night.
Const. Ian MacDonald said the first incident took place sometime between 8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22 and 6 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 23 in the 31000 block of Sidoni Avenue.
Parts of a home and garage were ransacked, and tools, cash, and identification were taken from the residence and a vehicle parked in the garage.
The suspects likely entered through an unlocked rear kitchen door, MacDonald said.
The second break-in was sometime after midnight on Tuesday, Sept. 24 in the 2600 block of Eagle Mountain Drive.
Access was gained through a closed, but unlocked, basement door.
A Kia Sportage vehicle was stolen from the driveway, and numerous electronic items and liquor were taken from the home. The Kia was located a short distance away.
The third incident occurred in the 34700 block of Mila Street, also after midnight on Sept. 24.
The suspect(s) rummaged through a vehicle in the driveway and apparently shook a rear sliding glass door off its tracks in order to get inside the home.
A wallet and electronics were taken from a kitchen table inside.
The fourth break-in also took place on Tuesday, but at 11:45 p.m. in a townhouse located in the 33200 block of East Bourquin Crescent.
A 50-year-old resident arrived home from work to find two men inside his home.
The suspects, both Caucasian males in their 20s with backpacks, said they were waiting for someone.
They quickly fled the home, and the resident discovered vehicle keys and a GPS device missing.
The man’s wife was sleeping upstairs while the suspects were inside.
MacDonald said the break-ins are unsettling not only because of the theft of the valuables, but because the residents were inside while the intruder(s) were committing the offences, and three of the residences are homes with children.
"Although cat burglaries are rare, they are concerning to police and the community because of the potential for conflict between the occupants of the home and those breaking in," he said.
Anyone with information about the break-ins is asked to call the APD at 604-859-5225, text abbypd (222973) or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.