Why are bottles of ‘yellow fluid’ being thrown at homes across Niagara?

Police aren’t saying exactly what the substance is, and they don’t know why it is happening, but somebody has been throwing plastic bottles full of a “yellow fluid” at homes at properties throughout Niagara.

So far there have been 50 reported incidents that have occurred in St. Catharines, Niagara Fall, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Grimsby, Welland, Thorold and Pelham.

Niagara Regional Police say it started in May and is continuing as residents discover the bottled liquid in their front and backyards each morning.

Police haven’t revealed what the fluid is but it is not considered volatile.

Still, they are warning people to be cautious.

“Residents are asked to minimize their physical contact with the bottle until our officers attend or we give them other direction,” a statement reads.

Police say the incidents may be a way for criminals to find out if people are at home.

“We would encourage homeowners to frequently check their properties and if they are going on vacation to have a trusted person do it for them,” they say.

So far, other than the presence of the bottles, no damage or robberies have occurred.

Generally, the bottles are appearing with no associated damage or theft.

Police recommend homeowners consider the use of:

• Motion lighting
• Quality closed circuit cameras
• Locked gates and doors

Members of the public who find a bottle of yellow fluid on their property and/or may have suspect information are asked to call our non-emergency number 905-688-4111 “dispatch” to report it.

Members of the public who wish to report an incident of a bottle of yellow fluid on their property but have no suspect information and have already disposed of the bottle are asked to submit an online report.

Anyone with information is asked to contact our officers at 905-688-4111, extension 1022200

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.  Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.