Thieves targeting Asian business owners on Vancouver Island: RCMP

Mounties on Vancouver Island are warning that thieves in the Comox Valley and Campbell River are breaking into the residences of Asian business owners while they're at work.

Campbell River RCMP wrote in a Friday release the thieves may be tracking the victims' locations by placing GPS trackers on their vehicles.

The release said there is "significant information" that suggests the thieves, who could be part of an organized crime group, are targeting people of Asian descent.

It said two incidents occurring on Wednesday and Thursday in Campbell River are currently under investigation, while similar break-ins are being investigated in the Comox Valley.

Investigators in the Comox Valley believe the thieves may have visited the homes prior to the intrusion to determine if anyone was home.

Const. Holly Carlson with the Comox Valley RCMP said the culprit might say they are at the wrong house if they come across the homeowner. She is asking anyone who has had such an experience to contact police immediately.

Police are asking those who live in the area of the 600-block of Garden Way or the 21000-block of Joanne Drive in Campbell River — where the two break-ins occurred — to review security footage and contact police about anything suspicious.

They are also asking people who live in those areas to report any suspicious activity or vehicles.