The Sarnia Police Service has noticed a spike in break and enters in the city's north end, and is reminding residents to be extra vigilant.
They're happening in the Canatara Park area, all the way out to Bright's Grove, and the homes are ransacked for valuables in many cases.
Thieves are targeting items like jewellery and guns that are in safes, as well as outdoor sheds.
Police said masked men were spotted knocking on the door of a home in the Lakeshore Road area, between Modeland Road and Blackwell Road, on two separate occasions.
The suspects returned at 1:30 a.m. and lurked around the property.
During the same period, just a short distance away, another resident reported objects being pulled in front of the entrances of the family home.
Police said this was likely done to determine if the objects were not removed, which would indicate nobody is home.
Staff Sgt. Ivan Skinn said these thefts seem to be more planned and deliberate.
He's urging homeowners to take precautions, including making your home look occupied.
"They seem to be hitting houses where people are on vacation, people are away for the weekend, people that don't have alarms, people that have their backyards open or don't have any lighting," said Skinn. "If there are cars in the driveway, your home is less likely to be broken into. If lights are turning on as soon as someone enters your property, the parties doing the break and enters are likely to leave. Also, a great thing to have is a home security system and cameras."
Skinn said not to advertise when you'll be away from home, and have someone collect your mail so that it doesn't overflow your box.
He said police usually see an uptick in break and enters when certain people are out of custody.
"When they're in custody, the break and enters stop and when they're out of custody the break and enters start back up again," he said. "That's probably the first telltale sign of when they occur and don't occur."
Other precautions to take include getting to know your neighbours, avoid leaving notes for delivery people, locking down valuables and securing all entry points.
City police said they received an additional complaint of suspicious behavior at a home in the area of Modeland Road and Lakeshore Road. Police have obtained video of two individuals believed to be responsible for these acts.
The first male suspect is described as tall, wearing a black coat, black sweat pants with a blue hoodie underneath and distinctive orange Crocs with a black marking near the toe.
The second male suspect is described as significantly smaller than the first suspect. He was wearing a black coat with a black hood pulled over his head, grey sweatpants and white Crocs.
Anyone with information regarding these individuals is asked to contact Det. Cst. Karl Brown at 519-344-8861 extension 6204, or Sarnia-Lambton Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can also submit information online at p3tips.com.
- With files from Natalia Vega