RCMP reports to council on break-ins

By Heather Killen

The Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

A recent rash of break and enters has town council asking if it isn’t time to step up security in Middleton.

RCMP Corporal David Fraser updated town council on investigations into the rash of break and enters that took place overnight between June 4 and June 5.

“Each scene gives us clues and helps us to determine a direction for our investigation,” he told councillors at a special meeting held on June 9.

“We create a profile based on what we find at each crime scene, and then consider what the puzzle pieces tells us.”

He added that it’s still very early in the investigation, and he is optimistic that the individuals responsible will soon be located.

In all cases, no vandalism occurred and any property damage was a likely result of attempts to gain entry into the premises.

While the neighbours have all been questioned, only one individual claims to have heard anything; and that it didn’t seem suspicious at the time.

“They weren’t surgical in their methods of entry, in most cases doors were kicked in,” he said. “Money appears to be the motive for all but one.”

Cpl. Fraser added that investigators believe that more than one individual is responsible for the crimes that were likely spurred by opportunity and not specifically planned and executed to target the town’s commercial district.

Town councillors expressed shock and outrage at the crimes. Councillor Ray Giffen said he can’t believe that so many businesses could be targeted in a small town, and no one notice until the following day.

Councillor Brian Neville told Cpl. Fraser that he felt this was a ‘black mark’ that brought the town’s security into question.

“In my 20 years here, this stands out as a unique occurrence,” he said. “And unfortunately it comes back to the argument that a visible police presence may have deterred this, or stopped it.”

Councillor Neville added that he is concerned that Middleton will be viewed as an easy target, and urged the police to resolve the matter quickly.

“In lieu of receiving calls, we have no way of responding,” Cpl. Fraser said. “Not a single call came in until the next morning when people came to work.”

As soon as the reports came in, additional investigators were brought in from other detachments and major crime units.

Mayor Calvin Eddy said that he is confident police will catch the individuals responsible. He pointed out the local detachment has a strong past record for quickly solving crimes.

“I know that you are very quick to respond to things that go on,” he said. “Anytime the force has been called the response time has been good, and the criminals were quickly apprehended.”

In the meantime, Corp. Fraser said concerned businesses can best protect themselves by discouraging crimes of opportunity by barring windows, trimming shrubs, leaving lights on, and installing motion-activated lights.

He added that video surveillance equipment is another effective deterrent and a practical step that other towns have taken, and that Middleton could consider.

According to an official RCMP release 10 businesses and one church were robbed. Cpl. Fraser told councillors that while estimates are still coming in, police believe that more than $5,000 was lost in cash and damages.