Durham Regional Police are warning residents in Whitby, Clarington, and Pickering about a recent spike in home break-ins tied to an organized group using parks and trails to sneak into backyards, often while pretending to be landscapers or tradespeople.
The police issued a public safety advisory on July 23, 2026, after investigators linked a pattern of break-and-enters to a single group. According to Durham Regional Police, the suspects use greenspaces to access residential properties, then force their way inside by shattering rear sliding glass doors or using ladders to reach second-storey windows.
To avoid drawing attention, the suspects carry work tools and pose as workers moving through neighbourhoods. Police describe them as males wearing medical masks, baseball hats, dark-coloured shorts, t-shirts, gloves, and carrying backpacks.
The recent advisory follows several months of break-in activity across Durham Region. Between November 2025 and February 2026, a police investigation called Project Sonoma targeted a small group believed responsible for at least 20 break-and-enters in Whitby. Four suspects were identified and face multiple charges.
Residents are urged to report any suspicious people carrying ladders or tools in residential areas. To contact police, call 905-579-1520.
