Cops encourage burglary prevention

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The Fort Wayne Police Department responded to a string of home burglaries Thursday morning that they are calling ‘crimes of opportunity’ and offer suggestions on how homeowners can prevent themselves from becoming victims of such crimes.

Police received four reports from the 2200 and 2300 blocks of Broken Oak Road, and to the 10800 and 10900 blocks of Still Hollow Run, off Lima, near Dupont Road, of homes being burglarized Thursday morning. The victims reported that the burglaries occurred overnight while they were asleep inside the home.

Police said initial reports indicated that the suspects came in through unsecured doors or windows and at least two vehicles; one parked inside a garage were also broken into. Victims reported losing items including electronics, among other items, that were left in plain view.

The department has seen an increase in these types of reports over the past few months.
March 2010: approximately 11 similar reports received
April 2010: approximately 14 similar reports received
May 2010: approximately 13 similar reports received
June 2010: approximately12 similar reports received

Officer Todd Battershell, Crime Prevention Officer with the Fort Wayne Police Department said these types of crimes are often crimes of opportunity for burglary suspects.

“Because they, (the homeowner), made it easier on the suspect or suspects to get into their home, it became a crime of opportunity. Whereas maybe those homes that were more secure, the suspect may have even gone to those homes and didn't choose them because they were more secure, presenting more risk to him or her.”

Battershell also said that homeowners could do more to prevent themselves from being victims of such crimes.

“I think homeowners need to be more vigilant prior to going to bed. They need to go around and make a security check of their home and check those doors, locks, windows...make sure they're secure before retiring for the evening so something doesn't go wrong and someone doesn't make it into their home.”

The FWPD offers the following suggestions for residents:
• Residents must be vigilant in protecting their homes; not become complacent. Conduct a security check of your home (and vehicle) before retiring for the evening. This includes securing doors and windows, and garage door openers.
• Use Operation ID to record and maintain serial numbers (make and model) of any valuables in your home. Valuables should not be left in your vehicle.
• An alarm system may be a worthwhile deterrent.
• Install motion sensor lighting in rear and sides of homes and ensure that bulbs are in working order.

Battershell also added that the mild weather may have also been a factor with the string of burglaries.

“We've been blessed with an awful lot of cool weather here this week, it hasn't been as warm as it has been, so people are turning off their air conditioners and leaving those windows open. The one thing I would say is to not to leave them open overnight, because in one of the cases the open window was the entry point. The window was cracked and they simply pried that open the rest of the way and made entry into the rest of the home.”

However, Battershell said second floor windows open overnight, usually aren’t an issue.

The latest incidents remain under investigation by the Fort Wayne Police Department Street Crimes Unit. Any information regarding these incidents can be reported to 260 427-1201 or anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 260 436-STOP (7867).

Residents are encouraged to visit the department’s website for additional tips and information using the Crime Prevention link on the site.

http://www.fwpd.org/prevention/