Sgt. Marshall Clark works in the Ottawa police break and enter unit. (CBC) "very brazen, very bold" burglaries, police warned Tuesday. Residents across Ottawa have woken up to find they were robbed while asleep in their beds in a series of

Since September, there have been 10 similar cases of overnight burglaries from Orleans to Kanata in which vehicles have been stolen to make off with the loot, said Sgt. Marshall Clark. In almost all cases, doors to homes or vehicles were left unlocked, he said.

"They're going through unlocked garage doors and they're taking keys for vehicles, they're taking computer equipment, purses and when they leave they're stealing the car," Clark said. "So, very brazen, very bold, very stupid. We need to get these guys caught."

A warrant has been issued for a 20-year-old man suspected in one such case at a home on Island Park Drive. On Nov. 26, computers and alcohol were stolen from the house, and a vehicle from the driveway, police said.

Police have not confirmed whether or not all 10 overnight burglaries are linked.

Potential for 'something bad': police

Cat burglaries are relatively rare but create a potential for "something bad," said Clark.

"There's a possibility of an interaction between the homeowner and the suspect, which we don't want to see," he said. "If people see someone in the house, in the garage, in their vehicle, we ask them to call 911 and let the police do their job."

There have been more than 300 residential break-ins in Ottawa since September, the majority of which occur during the day when residents are not a home, Clark said.

"These guys don't want to get caught. They'll make sure there's no one home. They'll knock on the door, they'll ring the bell, they'll go to the back door, knock on the patio door," he said.

Anyone with information about burglaries in Ottawa can contact the break and enter unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 3343 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.