from Conewago Township Emergency Management Director George Giangi 09/19/2007

Burglary Alert

Updated - Click here for 9/20/7 Patriot News article: Man arrested in Conewago Township could be 'daylight burglar'

Since May 2007, there have been as many as 50 burglaries in certain neighborhoods from Carlisle to Hershey. The burglaries have occurred from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM during weekdays. The police are actively investigating these crimes. Here are some important characteristics to consider:

• Often, daytime burglars will first approach the front door and repeatedly knock or ring the doorbell attempting to determine if anyone is home. If someone answers the door, the daytime burglar may ask for directions to a nearby location as if he is lost.
• Generally, cases such as these are solved because an astute citizen observes suspicious behavior from a vehicle or its occupants, notates the vehicle's license plate information (state and license number), notates physical description(s) of the suspicious person(s), and provides this information to the police.
• Do not hesitate to call the police via 911. If omething seems unusual or suspicious, trust your instincts, err on the side of caution, and notify the police.
• The modus operandi of the burglars suggests that:
  1. The burglars are targeting homes in multiple jurisdictions, and this makes investigation more difficult since multiple law enforcement agencies must collaborate.
  2. The homes are targeted during the business day with the expectation that no one will be present in the homes.
  3. Burglarized homes are not likely to be targeted again in the near future, nor are the homes in their immediate vicinity.
• While it seems that the burglars are making attempts to avoid contact with victims, you should assume that they are dangerous and you should not confront them.

1. If you have an alarm system in your home, arm it during the day, if possible, whether you are home or not. It is prudent to have small stickers from your alarm company posted on the exterior of your residence near main entry points (e.g. the front door, garage door, rear door, etc.)
2. If you do not have an alarm system, you may wish to post small, professionally produced stickers near your front door which state that your residence is protected by an alarm system or is under video surveillance.
3. A pet dog is an effective deterrent for these types of burglaries. It is best if the dog's bark can be heard by someone standing near your doors, but if your dog is caged or crated while you are away, please be sure that someone cannot observe this from an exterior window.
4. If you do not have a pet dog, you could purchase a few pet toys, dirty them up a bit, and leave them in your backyard during the day.
5. Park a vehicle on your driveway or near the curtilage of your home during the day while you are away. You may want to move the vehicle into the garage during the night.
6. Do not leave your garage door(s) open during the day, even if you are home, unless you are in the immediate vicinity of the door(s).
7. Place lights, television, or other appliances on timers to periodically come on between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM.
8. Leave shades and blinds down for all windows (including garage windows) while you are away.
9. Do not allow newspapers to lie on the driveway, in the newspaper box, or on your door stoop during the day. If your mail is delivered prior to 2:00 PM, try to make arrangements to have it retrieved at the earliest opportunity after delivery.
10. Talk to your neighbors. Many times in our neighborhoods, we do not know our neighbors well since we work long and haphazard hours. Your neighbors will have the same concerns as you do, and information sharing can help identify suspicious patterns or trends of activity.

• DO NOT personally confront or attempt to stop suspicious persons or vehicles.
• DO NOT open your residence door for anyone whom you do not know or are not expecting.
• DO NOT enter your home if there is evidence it has been burglarized. Get back in your car, lock your doors, drive to a nearby residence or populated area and call the police. Wait for the police and let them check your home to make sure that the burglars are no longer present.

Click here for 9/18/7 Patriot News article: Rash of burglaries grows by four