GREENWOOD VILLAGE - It's happening in broad daylight. More than 50 homes have been burglarized in the metro area, including in Douglas, Jefferson, Arapahoe and Denver counties, and the majority of them have happened in the past two weeks.
The method in which the burglars are breaking in is brazen.
According to Greenwood Village Police, the burglars will knock on someone's door. If there's an answer, they ask the homeowner an odd question, like to location of a certain address or throw out a random name and say they have the wrong home.
If no one answers, they take it as a green light.
"They are typically breaking into the side door or garage," Cmdr. Dave Fisher with the Greenwood Police Department said. "They pry the doors open and act fast. They are stealing electronics and jewelry. One of the things that seems very popular are iPads."
In one case the burglars took off with a safe full of guns.
"It is a very brazen way to do things but they are being successful so we need the public's help to be able to catch these guys," Fisher said.
There are some obvious yet crucial things that all homeowners need to do to keep their home and their family safe. Thieves typically will not target a home that has a "Beware of Dog" sign or alarm system signs.
"We have had a recent snow storm so one thing people really need to is make sure it's shoveled and there are tracks going in and out - so it looks like people are at home," Fisher said.
Leaving newspapers piled up and lights on outside is also an invitation for thieves.
"They are looking for people that aren't home. Make it look like you want them to go someplace else," Fisher said.
"If you have the steel security doors, that's a great option and if you have [an iPad or tablet device], turn on the tracking device. That would really help us locate those devices," Fisher said.
Below is a list of more tips from the Greenwood Police Department:
- Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
- iPads are very popular to steal. Please ensure you have the tracking feature activated.
- Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed, even if it is for a short time.
- Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day. If you are gone for an extended period of time, have someone change the location of the lights on timers. You can also call the police department and have an extra watch placed on your home.
- Keep your garage door closed and locked. Especially ensure the side doors.
- Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
- Arrange for your lawn to be mowed and your snow to be shoveled if you are going away for an extended time.
- Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary. Consider installing deadbolt locks on all your outside doors and steel security doors.
- Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
- Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive or activated light is recommended for backyards.
- Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
- An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. Make sure that you activate your alarm system any time you are away, and at night while you are sleeping. Have alarm company signs in conspicuous places. Put alarm stickers on windows and doors.
- Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles and call the police.
- Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons and call police.
- Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places - burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
- Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home -- this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Digital pictures are even better.
- If you have a safe for valuables, consider hiding it in your basement or obscure location. Most burglars head right for the master bedroom. Bolt them down.
- Keep firearms in a safe or locked in a manner so they are not easily removed. They should be inaccessible to children.
- Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
- Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9¬1¬1 immediately.
- If you park cars outside, secure garage door openers and be sure to lock your car.
- Light up your residence, lock your doors at all times, and call your Police Department when you see something or someone suspicious.
Please call 303-773-2525 if you have any further information about these crimes, or call 911 if you see a burglary happening.
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