Police in St. John's say thieves are using unusual tools — clothesline poles — to quietly steal goods through open windows.

Don Gough was surprised to learn a thief used a clothesline pole to steal his mother's purse through a basement window. (CBC)

"I was really totally shocked on that one, you know," said Don Gough, describing how someone used a neighbour's clothesline pole to steal his mother's purse from their home on Smithville Crescent, a quiet street in the city's Churchill Square neighbourhood.

Around 10 p.m. on Sunday, someone sneaked into Gough's backyard, and is thought to have spotted a purse and a backpack through Gough's basement window.

The clothesline was used to fish out the desired items.

Gough, who admits it was careless to have left the basement window unlocked, said the last robbery he knows of on the street happened three decades ago, when his mother's purse was stolen from a step.

"We've never had any problems. It's really been a great neighbourhood to live," he said.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said using an improvised fishing line to commit a crime appears to be happening more frequently.

"We're noticing it a lot — this trend is in the east end of St. John's," she said. "In and around the Churchill Square area, as well, there have been a number of reports."

Robberies in St. John's often involve what are called "smash and grab" crimes, in which a window is broken and goods are taken quickly.

The "fish and grab" crimes often involve similar targets, like cash taken from purses or wallets. Police said emptied purses are also often found nearby.

Increasingly, though, the RNC said, thieves are now targeting windows above basement levels.