Burglary Alert For Lyndale, Kingfield Neighborhoods

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Police are alerting residents after 11 burglaries were reported since May 18 in the Lyndale and Kingfield neighborhoods. Five of the burglaries took place at homes, where the suspect gained entry to lower level windows by cutting the screens and pushing up the unlocked windows.

Of the six garages that were entered, three of the service doors were unlocked and three appeared to be kicked in.

Police will be conducting extra patrol efforts during the times when the burglaries are occurring, in both plain clothes and in uniform. They will also be "flyering" the neighborhoods with prevention tips when officers see open garage doors.

If you would like to host a block club meeting in response to these burglaries and learn more about what you can do to keep your home and neighborhood safe, contact Jennifer Waisanen at (612) 673-5407.

If you have any information that could lead to a suspect on these burglaries, contact Minneapolis property crimes investigators at (612) 673-5715.

Home Security Prevention Tips from the Minneapolis police

• Lock your home, apartment, and garage doors and windows at all times, even if you are in the home or yard.
• Do not leave valuables in plain sight. This includes laptops, purses, wallets, keys, and anything else that may contain personal information. Remember: Treat your garage door opener as a key to your property.
• Record the make, model, and serial numbers on your valuables and keep in a safe place. This information can greatly assist in recovery of items. Photographs may also be of assistance.
• Secure windows and doors in homes, and garages.
  • Use deadbolt locks with at least a 1 inch throw on all exterior doors. Use 6 inch strike plates and 3 inch case-hardened screws that enter the studs behind the doorframe.
  • Pin or add auxiliary locking devices to windows and sliding glass doors.
  • Place an opaque material over garage windows.
  • Install a solid core door with a deadbolt on garage service door.
  • Secure overhead garage door tracks with a padlock.
  • Consider installing security film on windows near or on doors to prevent access to door locks via breaking a window.
• Consider using timers on lights, radios and a TV when you are away from home.
• If you have a security system, use it even while at home. Dogs can be a deterrent as well.
• Know who is in your home; service providers and contractors should do background checks on their employees.

How to report a burglary

• Call 911 to report a burglary, whether or not you witness the burglary in progress. Note missing items, suspect description, tools, objects, or DNA evidence left at scene, possible time and date of occurrence, video surveillance, etc.

Photo by William Bornhoft/Patch