Break and Enter

Ottawa Police investigate all break-ins to home and commercial properties. People often mistakenly refer to a break-in as a robbery or use the American terminology of a burglary, but they are not the same crime.

A Break and Enter is the offence committed when any person unlawfully enters any place intending to commit a criminal offence.

A detective reviews every case for solvability or attempts to link it to other break-ins.

Call 911 if you think someone is still in your house or business. Otherwise, report a Break and Enter by calling our Police Reporting Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 7300.

If you have more information to add to an existing police report, the investigator or call the Police Reporting Unit (613-236-1222, extension 7300) with your case number.

Crime prevention tips

Make your home look occupied. If you are going away, have a trusted friend or family member look after your home.
Take photos of your valuables.
Document the serial and model numbers of bicycles/home electronics/smartphones.
If a serial number or another identifier is engraved on jewelry or other items, the item can be placed on CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) as stolen property. This way, if another police officer or police service queries the serial number or engraving, they will know it is stolen, and from where.
Consider enabling the “find my iPhone” app for all your Apple devices etc. This may help lead officers to the stolen device(s).
If bank/credit cards are stolen in a break-in, cancel them and ask the bank or card company's corporate security if your card was used for any attempted or successful transactions. These transactions are typically captured on security video.
Lock your car and garage doors.
When working in your backyard, close your garage door so people cannot see what you have stored inside.

Common questions

I think someone is trying to sell the property stolen from my break-in online. What should I do?

Take a screenshot of the ad that includes any phone number for the seller and the ad number.

Email us at [email protected] and quote your report number or your assigned investigator and email it to them directly.

For the investigator to be able to seize the property and possibly lay charges, they will have to be able to prove that the item(s) is, in fact, yours. This is where having a photo of the item and any possible distinguishing features and/or serial numbers is crucial.

Do not attempt to the seller or set up your own sting. your investigator immediately with the information from the site and allow them to conduct the follow-up. It can be extremely dangerous if you attempt to this person yourself.

Will I get my property back if the police make an arrest?

We will do everything we can to have items returned to its rightful owners. Unfortunately, the suspect often wants to get rid of the property as quickly as possible. They will likely sell the property or discard it, not considering the sentimental value it may have for someone. However, if items are recovered, we will search our database to see if we can find the owner.

Will you tell me if someone is caught?

If someone is arrested and charged, the investigator will you, and they may have you complete a Victim Impact Statement that will allow you to tell a judge sentencing the accused, in your own words, how this crime has affected you.