Arlington Residents Warned To Be Vigilant After 29 Break-Ins

ARLINGTON, MA — There's been a spike in the number of house break ins and burglaries in town and now Arlington Police are asking residents to be watchful. And if you believe your home was broken into

If you believe your home was broken into, Arlington Police are asking residents to not go inside but to call 911 immediately.

Since Aug. 31, there have been 29 house breaks or attempted breaks in Arlington. This includes a string of five break-ins that occurred on the evening on Friday, Dec. 8 in East Arlington. Suspects have gained access through both locked and unlocked windows and doors. In most cases suspects have been targeting jewelry, electronics and cash, say police.

“Arlington is a safe and vibrant community, but we are not immune to crime, nor are we invisible to those seeking a quick profit by breaking into a home or taking a package from someone’s doorstep,” Chief Ryan said in a statement. “That said, we are asking residents to immediately report suspicious activity to the APD.”

Tips to prevent break-ins and burglaries:

• Always lock doors and windows — across the nation, two-thirds of burglars use entrances other than the front door, including windows, basements, and back doors.
• Keep vehicle doors locked and always roll up windows and close sunroofs.
• Fake them out. Burglars are less likely to break into a home if they think someone is there. Leave your lights on timers, and leave your curtains partially open. Closed blinds and a dark house help a burglar hide while they rummage through your belongings.
• Prepare for vacations or long trips away from home. Don’t leave signs of an empty home while you are on vacation or away from home for an extended period of time. Let your neighbors know you are heading away and ask a friend or relative to house sit. Simple things like having someone pick up your mail and putting a stop on newspaper deliveries can help. Don’t make your home an obvious target.
• Do not hide a spare key. While keeping an extra key under the door mat or in the flower pot may seem like a good idea for the unexpected time you lock yourself out of the house, a spare key is an open invitation for burglars. Alternatively, consider installing a lock box in the back of your house or give an extra key to a trusted neighbor or relative.
• Hide valuables. Keep your valuables out of sight. Don’t leave a garage full of tools and valuable outdoor equipment open for everyone to see. Keep expensive artwork or electronics away from a window view or shaded by a curtain. Put high-priced items like jewelry and electronics in a safe or in a less predictable hiding spot than your bedside drawer.
• If you have an alarm system, set it when you leave, and set it when you go to sleep.

The Arlington Police Department Criminal Investigation Bureau is actively investigating each of these incidents. Many of the crimes have been reported to have taken place between dusk and 10 p.m., and at least one suspect spotted by a resident was seen carrying a backpack, which is not uncommon in burglaries.

Anyone with information on these incidents is urged to call the Arlington Police at 781-643-1212. If you witness suspicious activity in your neighborhood please dial 911 immediately.

Previously On Patch:

Spate of Car Break Ins: Arlington Police Logs

Rash of Break-Ins This Week

Break-In Suspect Accused Of Hitting Several Towns, Including Arlington