Barrie police responded to a reported break-and-enter in the north part of the city on Monday evening and came across a "peculiar finding," according to Barrie Police Service communications coordinator Peter Leon.
Around 6 p.m., a neighbour in the area of Cundles Road East and Springdale Drive alerted police to a suspected break-and-enter in progress.
When officers arrived, they found the rear glass door smashed.
"Police searched the residence and determined that the person or persons responsible had fled the home prior to their arrival," Leon stated in a news release on Tuesday.
During their search, officers discovered an upstairs light on in the washroom and the bathtub filled with water.
"Perhaps the perpetrator(s) of this crime was going to 'clean themselves up' and were scared away for an unknown reason," Leon speculated.
He added that a canvass of the area did not lead to witness-related information or video that may help to identify the culprit(s).
"The Barrie Police Service is suggesting to homeowners who may be planning on being away or have a home that is not occupied to give it a lived-in look by using simple things such as timers to control indoor and outdoor lighting, leaving a radio on, have someone park a car in the driveway and don’t post pictures on social media platforms that show that you are away," Leon said.
"Surveillance cameras are also a good investment and can assist police with suspect identification should a break-and-enter occur."
Banner image - file photo - Barrie 360
