Recent burglaries in Atherton share ‘common elements’

(KRON) — The Atherton Police Department said it is increasing patrols amid a recent rash of residential burglaries. The incidents, according to Police Chief Steven McCulley, “share some common elements.”

Over the past month, police have released information on five burglaries that targeted Atherton homes:

• Aug. 26, 100 block of El Camino Real: Suspects entered the detached garage through an unlocked door and stole a bicycle.
• Sept. 13, Euclid Avenue: Officers responded to a report of a burglary at 6:30 p.m. and found three juvenile suspects in the area. Police arrested the suspects and released them to their parents.
• Sept. 13, Holbrook Lane: Suspects smashed a rear glass door at around 9 p.m. to enter the residence. The burglary was discovered two days later.
• Sept. 18, 100 block of Tuscaloosa Avenue: Suspects smashed a glass door before 9 p.m. to gain entry.
• Sept. 19, Barry Lane: Suspects gained entry overnight “through a glass fireplace window after several unsuccessful attempts to break other windows,” police said.

Chief McCulley said the recent burglaries have targeted unlit, unoccupied homes, with entry being made by smashing through rear doors and windows. Burglars are stealing “jewelry, watches, luxury handbags, and safes, all kept in the primary bedroom or adjacent rooms,” according to McCulley.

Residents are encouraged to lock doors and windows, use exterior lighting and consider motion-activated lights, make homes appear to be occupied with timers for lights or televisions, keep valuables and safes out of the primary bedroom, trim shrubs near windows and doors to eliminate hiding places, and report suspicious activity to the Atherton PD non-emergency line at 650-688-6500.