Neighbors need to be nosy

Two youths allegedly broke into an unused warehouse at 555 O’Brien Street in Windsor Tuesday, Aug. 22, and walked out again with a mini-bar fridge in tow. The break-in which took place during the late afternoon, resulted in a smashed window and broken door.

The incident aroused suspicions from neighbors who had seen the youths walking down the road with the fridge.

One man who lives adjacent to the warehouse said he couldn’t imagine where the two youths could have found the fridge. “I was a little suspicious when I saw two boys going by carrying a fridge,” said Wallace Hiltz. Once RCMP arrived with police dogs he knew his instincts were correct. “I went and told them the direction the boys went,” he said. “I can’t believe anyone would break into someone’s building like that, in broad day light. I hope they (RCMP) caught them.”

Another neighbor, who asked that his name not be released, also contacted police to report a possible break-in after seeing the youth drop the fridge in a nearby backyard.

The two youths may now be wondering if the escapade was worth the risk as they were arrested a few ours latter and charged with one count each of possession of stolen property and break and entry.

Cpl. M.J. DeLuco of the Town RCMP said it came down to “good old fashioned police work” and that the police dogs were involved in helping to locate the stolen property. The youths will appear in Youth Provincial Court Sept. 28.

In addition, the Windsor Rural RCMP are investigating a series of residential break and enters through the county, which occurred between Aug. 15 and 26, 2007, and resulted in property theft and damage.

The RCMP has made use of the Forensic Identification Section and Police Dog Section in the investigations but is also seeking assistance from the public.

Anyone with information is asked to call the detachment at 902-798-2207 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (Tips). RCMP would like to remind residents to call police when they see suspicious activity in their area.