MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are issuing safety warnings after burglars targeted the garages of eight homes on Nov. 9.
The burglaries all occurred between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., and effected addresses along James Ave S and Knox Ave S.
Police say suspects kicked or pried open the services doors to the garages, with two of the homes having been accessed via unlocked doors.
Police have issued the following safety information in order to help the public prevent future break-ins.
What you can do:
- Always keep your home and garage secured and locked. (even when you are home, or outside in the yard.) Also, always lock your vehicle doors inside your garage and take all valuables out of the vehicle. (including small change, insurance and registration information)
- Never leave your garage door opener in your car outside of your garage unlocked. If it is stolen, reprogram or disengage opener.
- Consider in investing in Wi-Fi Security Cameras. This aids in helping investigators identify potential suspects.
- Light it up! Motion lights on garage doors and homes are also a good deterrent for burglars.
- Call 911 to report suspicious activity. This includes strangers walking down your alley and looking in garages, loitering, or vehicles circling the block with occupants you don’t recognize.
- Burglars commonly knock on doors to see if anyone is home. Please call 911 to report any suspicious persons who knock on your door or ring your doorbell. For example, someone giving you a name of a person they are looking for, who doesn’t live there!
- If you are burglarized, do not contaminate the crime scene. Do not enter your home until police have cleared it of possible suspects. Do not touch any suspected entry points or items that may have been moved or touched by the burglar. Do not “clean up” until after police have investigated.
There are currently no suspects in custody at this time.
Police ask anyone with information surrounding these incidents to contact the 5th Precinct Property Crimes Unit at (612) 673-5715.
You can access reported crimes in your neighborhood, here.
