A local Kamloops family fell victim to a residential break and enter and theft of their vehicle while they slept in their family home.

On June 12th, 2021 at 630am, Kamloops RCMP frontline officers received a report of a break and enter and theft of a vehicle that occurred from a residence on Sydney Avenue the previous evening. The homeowner said that while his family was sleeping, a suspect was able to gain entry to their home through an unlocked basement door. Once inside, the suspect quietly stole several valuable items, vehicle keys, and ate food from the refrigerator before departing the residence in the family vehicle.

Police began to actively investigate this break and enter when at approximately 12:54pm the same day, a concerned member of the public reported a suspicious vehicle on Beach Avenue with two males who appeared to be unconscious inside. Police quickly attended to find the stolen vehicle with two occupants in the front seats who appeared to have been using drugs and had fallen asleep. BC Emergency Health Services attended and treated the males.

As a result, a 55-year-old Kamloops male who is known to police was arrested for possession of stolen property obtained by a crime and released on an Undertaking for a court appearance at a later date. This investigation is continuing and if anyone has any information regarding this crime you are asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000.

The Kamloops RCMP cannot emphasize enough how important it is to lock your vehicles and doors at night while you are sleeping to avoid becoming the victim of a crime of opportunity.