In response to a rash of recent burglaries in residential areas of Morgan Hill, authorities caution people to lock their doors and windows and call police if they see something suspicious.
From July 2 to July 15, police responded to at least eight home burglaries, Sgt. Shane Palsgrove said.
The burglaries have happened mostly around downtown Morgan Hill, on Llagas Road and on Adair Court north of town, Palsgrove said.
Other patterns noted by detectives and the city’s crime analyst include:
• Most of the home burglaries have happened during daylight hours while a resident is not at home.
• The method of entry in several cases was through an unlocked exterior door.
• Investigations show that rear glass sliding doors can be forced off their tracks and removed, allowing entry into the home.
• Televisions, video game consoles and jewelry are some of the common items taken during the burglaries.
The trend of items stolen, and the existence of other valuable items left untouched by the burglar or burglars in the incidents, and the fact that the suspects are looking for “an easy way in,” suggests that perhaps teenagers out of school for the summer could be behind the string of burglaries, Palsgrove said.
No arrests have been made in connection to the burglaries, police said.
Plus, detectives typically see a surge in property crimes in the summer months.
“It’s warmer, and people are out later,” Palsgrove said.
Residents and motorists can take some easy precautions to avoid being a victim, Palsgrove said.
In vehicles, these include closing windows, locking the doors and removing all visible personal and valuable items such as purses, wallets, radios and other valued items from the unattended cars, police said.
Authorities have even seen thefts of garage door openers from vehicles, Palsgrove added. Victims who have seen these items stolen should notify police and change the code to their garage doors or unplug the receivers.
At home, residents are encouraged to lock their doors and windows when they are away, Palsgrove said. Other suggestions include leaving a light or radio on, installing an alarm system or installing motion sensing lights around the outside of the home.
Pin locks, which are available at local home improvement stores) are also helpful in securing sliding glass doors, police said.
Anyone who has any information about the crimes or thinks they were a victim can call Morgan Hill police at (408) 779-2101.
