Ottawa police are looking to hear from residents on both sides of the river who may have had underwear stolen from their homes, as investigators piece together what appears to be a pattern of thefts stretching back several years.
According to a CBC Ottawa report, police in the Ottawa and Gatineau, Que. areas are trying to identify possible victims connected to the case. Investigators believe the underwear thefts have been happening over an extended period, and they're hoping that going public will encourage anyone affected to come forward, even if they never reported the incident at the time.
Why this matters for Ottawa residents
Thefts like this can be unsettling precisely because they often go unreported. Many people who notice missing items assume they misplaced them, or feel embarrassed to file a police report over something that seems minor. Investigators are now signalling that these incidents may be linked to a broader pattern, which is why they're urging anyone who suspects they were targeted, whether in the ByWard Market, Centretown, Barrhaven, Orleans, or across the river in Gatineau, to reach out.
For Ottawa households, the case is a reminder to keep an eye on secured outdoor spaces like balconies, shared laundry rooms, and clotheslines, which are common points of entry for this type of theft. Anyone who has noticed missing laundry or signs of an intruder on their property, even without obvious damage, is being asked to file a report.
What police are asking residents to do
Ottawa police have not released details on how many victims they believe are involved or over what exact timeframe the thefts occurred. What is clear is that investigators are treating this as a cross-border case between Ottawa and Gatineau, suggesting a suspect or suspects may have operated in both cities.
Residents who believe they may have been affected are encouraged to contact Ottawa police directly rather than assume the incident is too small to matter. Investigators often rely on these kinds of reports to establish patterns, timelines, and potential suspects, especially in cases involving repeat offences across multiple neighbourhoods.
The bigger picture
While theft of clothing items might sound like a minor crime on the surface, cases like this can point to more serious underlying issues, including voyeurism or stalking behaviour, which is likely why Ottawa police are treating it seriously enough to make a public appeal. The investigation remains active, and police have indicated they're continuing to gather information from the community.
Ottawa residents with information or who believe they may be a victim are asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service.
Source: CBC Ottawa
