The Surrey RCMP is reminding people to keep their doors and ground floor windows secure after a sharp increase in residential break and enters followed by a significant arrest of a prolific property thief.
This past September, Surrey RCMP received 230 reports of a residential break and enter across the city, which includes homes, sheds and garages. The majority of homes broken into were in the Surrey City Centre/.
In most of the cases where a home was broken into, police noted that a common point of entry was through an insecure window or door. Surrey RCMP Crime Analysts noted this upward trend of incidents and engaged officers from the Property Crime Target Team (PCTT).
Using the intelligence from the Crime Analysts, Surrey RCMP PCTT officers identified a prolific property thief in the City Centre area. As they began tracking this person, officers saw him break into a residence on October 5th and were able to arrest him. Officers continued their investigations and were able to link another break and enter to the same suspect in the 13900 block of 132nd avenue on August 18th.
On October 6th, Jordon CRONK, 32 years old of Surrey, was charged with Break and enter x2, Possession of a firearm without a license, and Possession of a stolen firearm. On October 14th, CRONK appeared in court and was sentenced to 5 years total in jail for break and enter, break and enter to steal a firearm, possession of a firearm without a license or registration, and possession of a firearm contrary to an order. In addition, CRONK also received a lifetime firearms prohibition.
It’s not just the summer months when thieves look for open or unsecured windows and doors, says Cpl. Scotty Schumann. Any time an easy opportunity presents itself, the chances of being victimized are increased. Make it difficult for thieves and take a few basic steps to improve your residential security.
