Golden Valley police say they have been dealing with a noticeably higher number of crimes so far this year compared to this same time last year. Many of the incidents are residential burglaries, thefts or thefts from vehicles.
Golden Valley Police Chief Stacy Carlson says police caught a man last Wednesday before noon as he was rifling through a house on Burntside Drive near Roanoke Road. The homeowners were not there and the burglar entered the home through an open window.
Michael Jones, 22, and an accomplice, Antonio Emory, 22, were charged with burglary.
Chief Carlson says their behavior is typical for a burglary case. The thieves assess the situation, and then act if there’s an opportunity. She says there isn’t one particular area that’s being targeted. Most of the burglaries are happening during the daytime when the homeowners are at work.
That’s why the chief sent out an alert with safety tips.
"We want neighbors to go into the summer thinking about those ground floor windows," says Carlson. "Don’t leave them open if you’re not home. Even if you are home, make sure you're aware of what's going on in your home."
She reminds residents to lock their car doors, even if the car is in the driveway at home. Also, don't leave valuables in your car, especially your identification.
Her final request: Keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Carlson encourages people to call police if they see something that seems odd. That’s what happened in the burglary case on Burntside Drive. A neighbor called 911 when she noticed a man knocking for a long time, then enter the house through the window.
"You can’t imagine how many times those calls come in that help us catch people or eventually track down and solve a crime," says Carlson. "We’re absolutely proactive about it, but we can't do it without the public’s help."
Renee Banot
rbanot@twelve.tv
June 13, 2012