Upper residents report rash of break-ins, thefts

The Upper Sandusky Police Department is warning residents to lock their homes after receiving reports of eight break-ins and one attempted break-in during the last two weeks.
“(Most) of these involved an unlocked door or window and all happened during the nighttime hours when people were at home,” Chief David Olds said. “Everyone should be mindful to lock their doors and windows.”
According to USPD reports, two break-ins were reported early June 25 by residents at a home in the 400 block of North Fifth Street and in the 400 block of North Fourth Street. One resident reported she awoke to find someone had gained entry through an open rear kitchen window and taken $60 from a purse that she had left on the kitchen counter. The woman told police she found the purse outside on a backyard patio.
The other complainant reported entry was gained through a front window. She told police her purse had been removed from a closet and $100 in cash and $30 worth of restaurant gift cards were missing.
More break-ins were reported the following morning on June 26 — one in the 300 block of West Wyandot Avenue, a second in the 500 block of West Johnson Street and a third in the 200 block of East Church Street. Residents at two of the homes reported entry was gained through back doors. At the third scene, police were unable to determine how the suspect entered the home because all the doors were unlocked, the report said. Items reported missing include $100 in cash, prescription medications and an Apple iPod.
A resident in the 400 block of West Johnson Street also reported an attempted break-in June 26. The complainant told police a back screen door was open that no one in the home uses. No one was able to gain entry into the home because the interior door was locked.
A sixth break-in was reported early last Tuesday morning in the 400 block of North Eighth Street. A resident woke up around 4:30 a.m. to find a back door open and items moved in the kitchen and bathroom. Approximately $75 was reported missing, along with a bottle of prescription medication.
A resident in the 600 block of Polaris Drive reported a break-in Thursday. Someone cut a front screen and entered an unlocked window, taking $50 from a purse in the kitchen and another $15 from a wallet, the report said.
On Monday, a resident in the 600 block of South Seventh Street reportedly returned home to find the front door pushed in and $1,789 worth of items missing, including a 50-inch plasma TV, Blu-Ray disc player and Nintendo Wii game system.
The break-ins remain under investigation and police are asking for the public’s help in solving the case.
“No one has seen a suspect,” Olds said. “We are asking people to be aware of anything that looks strange in their area and to call us immediately and get a description if they can.”
Investigators believe the same person is responsible for all seven break-ins, Olds said.
Anyone with information about the break-ins should contact police at 419-294-2324.

By CHANDA NEELY
City editor

Posted by Daily Chief on July 10, 2012. Filed under Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry