Dollard-des-Ormeaux hit with series of robberies last Friday

Montreal police are investigating a string of break-ins in the West Island last Friday.

Montreal police are investigating six separate break-ins that occurred within a matter of hours in Dollard-des-Ormeaux on Nov. 28.

Spokesperson Johany Charland said police responded to calls on Dawn, Ceres, Harris, Surrey, Myconos and Drouin streets between 6 p.m. and midnight.

“According to the initial information that we had, the suspect or suspects had forced entry in the door of each residency,” she said.

No suspects have been arrested and there were no injuries. An investigation is ongoing and Charland said it’s not yet clear whether the home invasions are connected.

Sentinel Alarm president Ivan Spector says it’s a bad time of the year for break-ins.

“Keep in mind days are shorter now and it gets darker faster,” he said. “This creates more opportunities.”

Apart from setting up a home security system, he said it’s important to focus on what will deter the thief from entering your home.

“The more things you can put in the way of someone coming in will increase your odds of not being robbed.”

That means keeping windows and doors locked and taking a walk around your property to ensure there are no ladders or other objects that would aid entry.

Motion detectors, and signs that you have a home security system, or a dog, even if you don’t have one, also cause thieves to think twice. Keeping the home well lit inside and outside are also good deterrents.

Police also recommend not storing any cash or jewelry in a bedroom, instead keep it in a safe or locked box elsewhere in the home.

If you plan on going away, police also recommend having someone check in on your home regularly, keep mail collected and driveways and walkways cleared of snow. And don’t post any vacation pictures until you are home.

Charland said the most important thing is to keep an eye out for any unusual activity in your neighbourhood, but don’t take matters into your own hands.

“If someone see a break in entry, call 911 right away,” she said. “Don’t try to approach the person.”