The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office have been called to several residential burglaries in the Carson Valley area during the past few weeks.
The incidents have occurred primarily during daytime hours, said DCSO Sgt. Pat Brooks. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is asking residents to report any suspicious persons or vehicles seen in their neighborhoods by calling Douglas County Dispatch at 775-782-5126. Callers may remain anonymous.
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office also reminds residents to secure property, and lock doors and windows when possible.
In neighboring Carson City, there has been similar home invasions. individuals have been spotted canvasing neighborhoods and targeting homes to determine if the resident is inside, Carson City investigators have said.
Home Safety:
• Make sure all doors and windows are locked to include those on your vehicles, nearly half of all burglaries are done with no force, which means they were able to get in through unlocked doors and windows.
• Have a trusted neighbor or family pick up newspapers or packages if you are going to be gone for any length of time.
• Tell a trusted neighbor or family of your travel plans so they can keep an extra eye on the home and so they can call the Sheriff’s Office for any suspicious activity.
• Make your home look occupied, leave lights/radios/televisions on or think about putting them on timers so they are coming on and going off during different times of the day or night.
• Close and lock your garage.
• Have the Post Office hold your mail if going away on vacation.
• Never leave notes on the door saying you are away.
• Keep valuables and packages out of sight as much as possible.
• Do not store gifts, packages, and items in your vehicle or outside allowing thieves to steal them.
• After the holidays, break down any boxes before putting them out for the trash such as TV’s, cell phones, computers, and electronic games of rather than advertising them to criminals of what new items you just purchased and are available to steal in your home.
• Document serial numbers and etch or mark items in such a way in order to later identify them when recovered if theft occurs. Criminals do not want marked items because it is harder to fence and evidence of guilt if they are caught with it.
• Exterior doors should have “dead bolt” locks.
• Sliding doors and windows should have auxiliary locks to bolster security.
• Consider alarms systems.