Penticton

A thief is lurking in the normally quiet community of Keremeos.

Police say a thief or thieves broke into three homes in the downtown area between 11:30 p.m. July 1 and 5 a.m. July 2.

During one incident, RCMP say the owners of the house were at home on the opposite side of the house as a screen was pried off a window.

"The suspect(s) were in the home for a very short period of time before leaving and were not seen by the owner at the time," says Cst. Victoria Hett.

She says over the course of the three break-ins, a wide range of items were stolen including a black Norco Bicycle, tool boxes and tools, black Nikon camera, cheque books and suitcases.

"Several priceless elephant figurine artifacts from around the world were also taken. The elephant figurines range in size from 2 inches to 2 feet, are in various colours and are either porcelain or wooden in nature."

Hett says there were reports of an unknown male in the downtown area after the break-ins.

"Police remind owners to call police immediately if they see anyone unusual around their properties during the day or night and to make sure residences and garden sheds are left secure and locked up."