Wednesday Break-In Sparks Sheriff's Warning

On Wednesday, August 17, upon returning home from a brief errand, a 42-year-old woman found a burglar inside her house. The man immediately fled from the home, which was located in the 4600 block of Glenwood Avenue. 

This is the third residential burglary this month in the Crescenta Valley, with two similar break-ins occuring on Steven and Gertrude streets. As in Wednesday's break-in, the incident at Gertrude occurred between 11:30 and 12:30 p.m.

The good news is that, overall, the occurrence of residential burglaries is markedly lower than it was last year. In July 2011, there was only one residential burglary reported (in the garage of a home being renovated on Mayfield Avenue); in July of 2010, there were 11 residential burglaries.

In any event, Capt. Dave Silversparre and Sgt. Ray Harley of the station, are urging the community to stay vigilant. Sgt. Harley offers the following tips.

• Lock doors and windows at all times.
• Stop mail and newspaper delivery when you're out of town.
• Set a light or radio to turn on (on a timer) when you're going to be gone all day or out of town. "Make it look like you're home," Sgt. Harley explains.
• Be aware of people who don't seem to belong in the area (i.e., are wandering aimlessly or don't appear to be doing business in the neighborhood).
• Don't hesitate to call the Sheriff's Station at 818-248-3464 if you see anything or anyone even slightly suspicious.
• If you are home, and someone comes to the door but you don't answer, look out the window to make sure your "visitor" is leaving the house and not coming around to the back to potentially break in.

Sgt. Harley explained that residential burglars are looking for unoccupied homes. They're not looking for confrontations, only opportunities.

Burglars, he continues, regularing engage in "casing," or prowling about, to see who's home and who's not. It's not uncommon for a burglar to come up to the front door, knock, and if no one answers, circle round to the back of the house where they will break a window or door. 

If you do answer the door, the burglar will often "ask a silly question," Sgt. Harley says. "'Is so-and-so here?' They'll ask for a person by name."

If you encounter such a visitor, Sgt. Harley encourages you to call the Sheriff's Department.