Police: Be wary of daytime break-ins

Published 11:00 am Saturday, August 12, 2006

Forced-entry burglaries have hit several island neighborhoods.

Earlier this year, police were troubled by a rash of car break-ins. In most cases, the thief benefited from the carelessness of drivers who failed to lock their car doors.

Now, as they investigate a string of forced-entry, daytime burglaries, police are worried about the potential for a dangerous conflict between an intruder and a homeowner.

“Sooner or later they may break into a home thinking it’s unoccupied and find that someone is there,” said Bainbridge Police Lt. Chris Jensen. “In that case there would be high potential for a physical confrontation.”

In response to 10 such burglaries over the past two weeks, police are asking residents to report suspicious activities in their neighborhood.

Money, jewelry and computer equipment have been taken, along with a number of more peculiar items like a trumpet and a bathroom scale.

Police believe a single person or a small group of people have been breaking into unoccupied homes by prying open locked doors with some kind of tool.

They have no suspects, but believe most of the crimes are connected.

One Meadowmeer resident said she and her husband left their home around 1:30 p.m. on August 2 en route to the airport. After dropping her husband off, the wife returned home to find the back door wide open.

Fearing someone was still inside, she waited in the yard for police to arrive.

The intruder – who by then was long gone – had consumed some liquor and leftover pizza and left her somewhat conflicted.

“Part of me thought it was just kids,” said the woman, hesitant to give her name as a crime victim. “But they went through a lot of trouble to get in. The casing and the door need to be replaced.”

Because packages were left on the doorstep, she believes the burglar fled at the sound of the doorbell.

The couple has since installed an alarm system to deter future break-ins, something Jensen encouraged others to do.

He said burglary sprees like this are cyclical, referencing a similar situation five or six years ago when a burglar entered several island homes by kicking in the door.

He also said some homeowners – eager to repair damage – make the mistake of disturbing the crime scene before police arrive and that privacy too often equates to opportunity for burglars.

“We all want that 8-foot fence to protect our strawberry garden and give us privacy,” Jensen said. “But large fences give burglars all the time in the world.”

That was true in the Meadowmeer case; the couple lives on a “secluded” acre that’s shrouded by shrubbery.

The woman said their biggest loss was a small ring that was stolen from a safe downstairs. The ring had little monetary value, but was a family heirloom that meant a great deal to her husband.

She hopes others will take precautions to avoid a similar loss.

“This is a small community,” she said. “We need to get the word out so that people can be aware this is happening.”

Other neighborhoods have been struck as well.

One Wing Point resident lost $8,600 worth of property when her shed was burglarized. A laptop, camera and diamond ring were among the items taken.

On Ralston Road, two strongboxes containing coins and jewelry worth $40,000 were stolen.

Like the Meadowmeer residents, an Abies Drive homeowner had liquor stolen while she was away, along with a ring and a bathroom scale.