RCMP say man captured on security footage responsible for 15 or more Stratford burglaries

RCMP believe the man captured on security footage seen in photos released by police earlier this year is responsible for at least 15of the 31 break-insreported in Stratford in 2015.

The unknown male has been going into houses under the cover of darkness and stealing items from houses, police say, often using a ladder or cutting a window screen and then entering via unlocked window.

Police say they've made some arrests in the other half of the reported burglaries.

Police are distributing a flyer in the mail in Stratford, asking residents to call right away if they see anything or anyone suspicious.

Police have been investigating break and enters in Stratford, Charlottetown, and Cornwall over the past year. The flyer is beingsent out in Stratford because most of the burglariesof the same nature have been reported there.

The Town of Stratford has also distributed the flyer via email to about 1,000 people through its e-newsletter mailing list, and the flyers will also be at the Sobeys and liquor store in Stratford.

Police plan to godoor to door in a few days once residents have had a chance to look at the flyer.

Over the weekend, a Stratford resident reported a man she believed to be suspicious, and say that's exactly what they want people to do: their message is, "See something, say something, call 911."

"Somebody felt that they saw a light in their backyard," said RCMP Sgt. Leanne Butler.

"They didn't see anything more than that, but they called the police right away. We were able to respond with members. Our police dog was out. We did investigate that."

RCMP say residents should be on the lookout for:

• A car parked where it shouldn't be parked, like at a business long after it's closed or what appears to be an abandoned car.
• Any person dressed suspiciously or walking around at unusual times or locations.
• Any signs of vandalism such as a cut window screen or loose or unscrewed bulbs around the exterior of a home.
• Check around your property and review home security footage, and let police know if anything captured is suspicious.