Yellowknife, N.W.T. - A 17-year-old male has been charged with break-and-enter in connection with five break-ins on Latham Island.

Yellowknife RCMP arrested the youth, who is not being named because of his age, on Tuesday night.

According to police, a small amount of cash and some liquor was taken during the home invasions.

Constable Kathy Law said that in some of the cases the doors were unlocked.

"That doesn't give people the right to enter somebody else's home, but again, crimes of opportunity like these can happen at any time and we are cautioning people to make sure that their doors and windows are locked, even when they are at home."

Earlier this month three businesses along Franklin Avenue also experienced break ins.

Law said the two incidents are not related but noted crimes like these are affected by seasonal changes.

"People are out and about, they need money, doors are left open or windows are open, it's easy for them to get into the home or out in a very short period of time."

The teen was released on Wednesday and will appear in Youth Justice Court in September.

CJCD Mix 100 News