The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is warning the public about a string of apartment break-ins where suspects used hot glue to identify empty units.
Ten apartment units across five residential buildings in Vancouver and one in Burnaby were targeted in break-ins reported between August 9th and December 24th, 2025.
Police say thieves used a “unique method” in these cases.
“These suspects would gain entry into the building during the middle of the night and apply hot glue in the top corner of apartment unit doors, stretching it between the door and the frame,” says VPD Property Crime Sergeant Stan Dy.
“When building residents return home and open the door, the strand of glue is broken. If the residents are away, the strand of glue stays intact, indicating that no one was home. The suspects then returned within a few days and broke into suites that had intact glue.”
#VPDNews: Vancouver Police are making people aware of a unique method that thieves are using to break in to homes.
Between August 9 and December 24, 2025, ten apartment units spread across five residential apartment buildings in Vancouver, and one building in Burnaby, were… pic.twitter.com/kNbhNAZxiw
— Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) March 3, 2026
Investigators believe that the suspects have targeted older apartment buildings with limited security measures.
“These may include insecure stairwell doors or buildings that lack security cameras,” adds Sergeant Stan Dy.
Similar cases involving suspects utilizing glue on unit doors through apartment buildings have been reported in both Ontario and Edmonton.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Vancouver Police Property Crime tip line at 604-717-0610.
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