Lock Your Doors, Town and Country Police Warn

Thieves are entering Town and Country homes through unlocked doors prompting Town and Country Police Captain Gary Hoelzer to issue the following statement to residents in an email Tuesday morning.

"The two recent emails alerted you to burglaries that are occurring during the overnight hours in which the perpetrator enters houses through unlocked doors while the residents sleep. There have been no reports of confrontations with the suspect(s) so we do not have any information that he/she poses a direct threat to your safety. However, having a stranger in your house stealing valuables is a scary proposition at best," Hoelzer's email read. Over the past week our officers have issued a dozen courtesy notices of garage doors left open overnight, including four last night. This is an indication that our residents can and should do more to protect themselves and their property. The simplest, and most effective measure, is to lock the doors of your vehicles and your house."

The statement comes as theft and vandalism top this latest police blotter from the 

The following information was supplied by the Town and Country Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction where an arrest was made.

July 29: 300 block of Conway Hill Road

Burglary: Police said a home was entered through an unlocked back door during the early morning hours while the residents slept inside. A pair of tennis shoes and a purse were stolen off the kitchen table. The stolen credit cards have been used at several locations in the St. Louis area, police said. 

July 29: 500 block of Conway Village Drive

Burglary: Police said a home was entered through an unlocked back kitchen door during the early morning hours. A laptop computer was stolen off the kitchen counter. The homeowners were out of town at the time of the theft.

July 27-28: 12600 block of Devonworth Drive 

Theft: Police say thieves stole copper wiring from a house under construction. The theft reportedly happened sometime between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. The value of the stolen copper has not been determined.

Week of July 24: Oak Springs and Roclare Neighborhoods

Vandalism: Police said there were multiple reports of vandalism in the Oak Springs and Roclare neighborhoods off of Clayton Road last week. The vandalism includes a home and car both being "egged," but in separate incidents.

Town and Country Police not only remind residents to lock their doors, but advise neighbors to call 911 immediately if they observe any suspicious people or situations.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Rick Kranz at 314-587-2860 or at kranzrg@town-and-country.org. Callers can leave anonymous tips by calling the St. Louis Regional CrimeStoppers, 314-725-8477 or 866-371-8477.

*Please contact Local Editor Gabrielle Biondo with any questions regarding the above reports.