READ THIS if you live in or near Cedar Park

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Community Assistance Needed to Stop Daytime Burglaries
The Cedar Park Police Department is seeking assistance from the community to stop a string of daytime burglaries that have occurred since January. Although police have been working with Neighborhood groups in creating local awareness, we now want to expand awareness and gain the public’s assistance to help stop these burglaries.

A crime analysis has been constructed and the following commonalities are notable in these burglaries:

The burglaries have occurred in residential neighborhoods and several apartment complexes between the hours of 9AM and 4PM.

It is further believed that the suspects are most likely observing the resident leaving the home and closely watching the neighborhoods where they strike. On several occasions, the burglaries occurred within the first 30-minutes to an hour after the resident left their home. There are indications that the burglars may be knocking on doors to check the residences and have a cover story prepared if they come in contact with a resident who is at home.

Primary method of entry has been through kicking in the front door, but several attempts to gain entry through a broken window have occurred. The amount of activity in a neighborhood has been little deterrence to the burglars. It is believed that the burglaries are being committed by a 2-3 person team with no specific indication of age, gender, or ethnicity.

Items such as flat screen televisions, computers and similar electronic items have been taken, as well as smaller items such as cameras, laptops, jewelry, checks, cash and smaller electronics.

Although there is no specific vehicle description, it is believed that the burglars are operating vehicles that are large enough to transport televisions and home computers with ease. It is also believed that the suspects are backing into driveways or parking in very close proximity to the residence to reduce the amount of time it takes to remove items from the home.

These burglaries have occurred not only in Cedar Park, but in jurisdictions that share close borders with Cedar Park neighborhoods, both in Williamson and Travis Counties.

Police are asking Cedar Park and area residents to be aware and report suspicious circumstances in your neighborhood. They should be especially aware of unknown vehicles and activities around their neighbor’s homes and should immediately report activities that are consistent with the information provided above.

If suspicious activity is observed, citizens should call 9-1-1 immediately and report their observations. Citizens should not attempt to detain the suspects, but observe and immediately report as much information to 9-1-1 regarding the suspects as safely possible. These suspects are burglars and should be considered dangerous.

If you have any information on these burglaries, please contact the Cedar Park Police Department Criminal Investigations tip-line at 528-8067 or Sergeant Bryan Wukasch at 260-4748.

General burglary prevention and awareness tips that have been previously provided to the community. If possible we are asking local media to make these tips available through your respective websites or in printed media. Thank you in advance.

Burglary Prevention Basics

The burglary basics:

· Make your home look occupied. Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.

· Make it difficult to break in. Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors. Storm doors are an added deterrent.Keep your garage door closed and locked.

· Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly. Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.

· Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary. Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors. Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security. Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.

Don't tempt a thief:

· Lawn mowers, barbecue pits, and bicycles are best stored out of sight.

· Always lock your garden sheds and garages.

· Use the curtains on your home to block the view of potential burglars.

· Never leave notes on your door such as "Gone shopping."

· Don’t leave the boxes of recently purchased electronics at the trash can. Break them down or put them in a bag. Don’t advertise what you have in your home.

Locks…get the best:

· No lock, regardless of its quality, can be completely effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.

· Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen. When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.

· Talk to a locksmith about reinforcing your door frames and using longer screws to better secure the strike plate in the door frame.

Targeting the Outside:

· Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.

· Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.

· Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

Windows:

· Most windows can be pinned for security. One method that can be used is to drill a 3/16" hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame - place a nail in the hole to secure the window.

· There are many devices that can help make your windows more resistant. Ask your locksmith for alternatives.

Alarms:

· An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the market. Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.

Other precautions you can take:

· Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places -- burglars know where to look for hidden keys.

· Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home -- this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.

· Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call9­1­1 immediately. You can organize, or participate in a neighborhood program. Knowing your neighbors and reporting suspicious activity is one of the best ways to prevent burglaries. CALL THE POLICE to report a CRIME or any SUSPICIOUS activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. And remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes!

· Mark your valuables with your driver's license number with an engraver. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.

If Your Home Is Broken Into:
If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:

· Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside. Use a neighbor's phone or a cell phone to call police.

· Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.

· Write down the license plate numbers and description of any suspicious vehicles and note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.

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Ryan