Thieves got into a rural Cedar home through an unlocked front door early Sunday and stole several items — including a car — while the family was sleeping.
Nanaimo RCMP Reserve Const. Gary O’Brien said the break-in occurred between 1 and 2 a.m. on Farrar Road, while a couple and their son were asleep.
The fact that the house was occupied when it was burgled is “really troubling,” he said.
“We don’t see this,” O’Brien said. “This is very odd.”
The family discovered what had happened when they got up.
Aside from the older-model BMW X5, the thieves got away with items including a new set of Tour Edge Exotics golf clubs, a purse, a backpack containing a computer, keys, a wallet, credit cards and cash.
The stolen credit cards were used at a gas bar about 2 a.m. before they were cancelled.
The BMW was tracked to Parksville via an airtag in the backpack before it stopped operating.
O’Brien said the break-in was a wake-up call for the couple, who admitted that they had become complacent about locking their doors, as nothing had ever been stolen.
“The next day they made sure that all of their doors and windows were locked before they retired for the evening.”
Anyone with information on the incident or the whereabouts of the stolen items is asked to call Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
jbell@timescolonist
