South Surrey residents frustrated, fearful after string of break-ins

Nicole King, 54, has lived in South Surrey's 137 Street and 32nd Avenue neighbourhood for over two decades without worrying about safety.

"[We] used to leave our doors open. Like, we've never had to worry," she told CBC News.

That changed on Jan. 25, when her home was broken into.

"They broke the sliding door, ransacked the house, and were inside for about 15 to 20 minutes," she said. "They took jewelry, miscellaneous stuff … purses, anything they could throw in a backpack."

King is one of several residents feeling frustrated and fearful after a string of break-ins over the past four months.

She says no one in her five-person household was home at the time. Her daughter, who was supposed to return from a basketball game at 7:30 p.m., was delayed.

"Thank goodness she didn't [come home on time] because she would have run right into them."

Surge in break-ins across multiple neighbourhoods

Similar cases have been reported across South Surrey, Panorama Ridge, and Crescent Beach, with break-ins typically occurring between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., according to police.

In November, Surrey RCMP issued a break-and-enter warning, stating that suspects allegedly work in teams of three and often enter homes by breaking patio door glass.

"Investigators believe the thieves are surveilling properties before they strike. We encourage residents to keep their homes secure, look out for each other, and report any suspicious activity," RCMP said in the warning.

Police describe the suspects as three males wearing hoodies, coloured sweatpants, and balaclavas, with different heights and builds: one is six foot three and "heavy-built," another is six feet tall and "muscular," and the third is five foot eight and "slender."

Sgt. Vanessa Munn confirmed to CBC News that similar robbery patterns were identified in three other Lower Mainland jurisdictions at around the same time but did not specify which ones.

Since the RCMP's warning in November, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) says it has recorded 14 break-ins in the affected areas, including two attempted break-ins and three targeting homes under construction. Among the remaining nine, four involved garage break-ins, and five were traditional home invasions.

SPS spokesperson Ian MacDonald says it's unclear if the incidents are connected.

"We certainly have some patterns [but] occasionally it'll be two people that are attempting to break-in, sometimes it's a lone person, sometimes the point of entry might be a sliding glass door.," he told CBC News. "I'd be reluctant to say that they all can be summarized as having a similar pattern."  

Large properties targeted, crime prevention efforts underway

King says she and her neighbours believe the suspects are deliberately targeting large-acreage properties where homes are further apart.

"So there's not a lot of people right next to you, so you can't see them," she said.

Police also confirm the suspects have been targeting "large-scale homes" in these neighbourhoods.

In response, residents have installed security cameras and formed a neighbourhood watch for the first time in the area.

"Everyone is now watching everyone on our street, which is great," said King. "We're also getting to know each other, so that's a positive."

The SPS says its officers have also been engaging with residents, holding meetings, and providing crime prevention tips, such as installing surveillance cameras and securing doors and ladders.

One strategy police are promoting is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), an approach that discourages crime by increasing visibility and eliminating hiding spots.

According to CPTED Canada, key principles include ensuring homes and entry points are visible from the street, using well-placed lighting and security cameras, and trimming overgrown vegetation that could provide cover for criminals.

"[We are] connecting with Block Watch groups in these neighbourhoods to provide education on CPTED, property safety, calling police, and reporting crime and suspicious activity," SPS spokesperson MacDonald said in a statement to CBC News.

Police advise anyone who suspects a break-in to stay out of their home and call 911 immediately.

The SPS says it is continuing to work with the RCMP's Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit, which is providing front-line and investigative support in South Surrey, Panorama Ridge, and Crescent Beach.

CBC News has reached out to the City of Surrey for comment. 

In the meantime, residents like King say they are doing everything they can to stay vigilant.

"We're really watching what's going on in our neighbourhood… we're all on high alert."