Authorities warn of burglars targeting homes near hiking trails, golf courses

A recent string of residential burglaries in Ventura County have been linked to a common denominator: open access from the backyard.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office issued a warning Thursday saying several burglaries have been reported during the evening hours in and around Camarillo at homes that back up to open spaces such as golf courses or hiking trails.

Most of the crimes tend to happen between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. when the homes are unoccupied, the Sheriff's Office said.

The warning comes days after two homes in the same Camarillo neighborhood were burglarized within hours of one another. A community park and multiple winding hiking trails are located in that neighborhood with some of the hiking trails having almost direct access to the home's backyards.

Masked thieves caught on home surveillance breaking into a house in Camarillo on Jan. 12, 2024.

One of those burglaries was caught on home security camera and shows a group of masked burglars smashing a sliding glass door to get inside and ransack they home. The group stole cash and thousands of dollars' worth of jewelry, electronics and other devices before fleeing.

That family was out of town at the time of the break-in. The victims of the other burglary weren't home at the time either and both crimes are believed to be connected, according to the Ventura County Star.

The Sheriff's Office is urging residents in Camarillo and beyond to be diligent and look out for one another and report any suspicious activity to authorities.

"Residents know their streets and neighborhoods more than anyone else," officials said in a news release. “If you see something, say something."

When leaving your home unoccupied, the Sheriff's Office says the following tips can help keep your home safe while you're away.

• Leave indoor lights or televisions on to make it appear the home is occupied
• Close and lock all windows and doors
• Activate alarm systems when leaving the house, even if you won't be gone long
  • Alarm systems should consist of door sensors, window sensors and glass break sensors for all windows and doors on the first and second stories of the house
• Consider permanently securing safes, storing valuables in heavy, well-constructed safes, safe deposit boxes or other secure locations

Residents who observe suspicious activity are asked to report it to the Ventura County Sheriff's Dispatch at 805-654-9511.

from KRON4 https://ift.tt/2tfHzXM