A quiet apartment complex in central Edmonton has become the centre of a growing police investigation after a series of calculated break-ins rocked residents earlier this month. Now, police are asking the public for help tracking down two suspects who used glue to mark empty apartments—and may still be targeting more.

It started on July 7, when the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) was called to a building near 106 Street and 97 Avenue. Reports from both tenants and building security revealed that multiple units were broken into, with various personal items reported stolen.

But it’s the suspects’ tactics that have left residents unnerved.

According to investigators, the suspects applied glue to doorframes—a low-tech but unsettling method believed to help them identify which homes had been unoccupied for extended periods. Police say this method allowed them to track which tenants were away, especially as summer vacation season ramps up.

“This is a time when many people are out of town, and that creates an opportunity for those looking to exploit it,” said Acting Superintendent Brent Dahlseide from the EPS downtown branch in a statement released Wednesday. “We urge residents to secure their homes and ask someone they trust to check in regularly while they’re away.”

Caught on Camera Between Midnight and 1 A.M.

The two suspects were last spotted in the area between 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. on July 1, with investigators also interested in reports of suspicious activity two days earlier, on June 29 around 1 a.m.

Descriptions provided by police indicate both individuals are male. One was seen wearing blue jeans, a blue jacket, and a navy blue baseball cap. The other was dressed in black pants, a blue shirt, and a dark baseball cap.

While images or surveillance footage have not yet been released, police are encouraging anyone who may have seen unusual late-night activity in the area or near similar buildings to come forward immediately.

Community On Edge as Investigation Grows

As news spreads, residents of central Edmonton are being reminded to take extra precautions, especially in multi-unit dwellings where access can be shared and security often varies.

EPS is urging tenants and building managers to:

• Check for unusual marks or substances on doorframes
• Lock all windows and entry points—even during the day
• Report any unknown individuals or suspicious behaviour in hallways or parking areas

Anyone with information on the suspects or the break-ins is asked to call EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile device. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit tips online at www.p3tips.com/250.

Source: edmontonjournal