Suspects glued open doors of residential units in Richmond Hill before breaking into them, say police

Police in York Region say suspects applied a glue-like substance on unit doors throughout the building as they prepared to break not them. (YRP photo)

Police in York Region are alerting the public after suspects allegedly scouted condo and apartment units in Richmond Hill, going as far as to glue open the doors prior to breaking into them.

York Regional Police said two incidents were recently reported to them.

In both cases, unidentified suspects “surreptitiously” gained entrance into the buildings during the early morning hours, they said.

Police allege that the suspects then applied a “glue-like substance” on door of units throughout the building.

They said that the suspects also “took steps to prevent communal exits from locking properly in order to gain future access to the buildings.” Police have not elaborated on what those measures entailed.

The suspects returned at a later date to examine the condition of the glue to determine if the units were occupied before committing break and enters, YRP said.

Investigators are urging owners and tenants to be aware of this crime technique and to report any suspicious persons or activities to police and their condo management or building superintendent.

Anyone with further information is asked to contact YRP’s #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7244, or Crime Stoppers anonymously.