104th Precinct community council meeting on Dec. 18. (Photo: Laura Hanrahan)
Dec. 19, 2018 By Laura Hanrahan
A recent series of break-ins in Middle Village, led by an seemingly organized group of burglars, has prompted police to increase patrols in the area and urge local residents to practice extreme vigilance.
Officers from the 104th Precinct spoke about the ongoing investigation into the multiple area burglaries at the Dec. 18 community council meeting.
While the extent and timeline for the recent burglaries was not provided during the meeting, police believe that they are carried out by the same group of about two to six men.
All of the break-ins, they say, take place during the daytime and early evening hours while residents are at work.
The thieves force their way inside the homes often by using a tool to pry doors open. They then exclusively steal cash and jewelry—things that can’t be traced, the 104th Precinct said.
The group also seem well-organized, officers said, having seemingly planned out each of their burglaries.
The suspects are always hooded and use gloves, even taking to using masks at times, all of which make the culprits extremely difficult to identify, police said.
Available surveillance footage has so far led police to believe that they are driving a dark colored car.
In response, the precinct has now upped the number of patrols in the area in hopes of both deterring and catching the criminals.
“It’s under control as far as it’s not out of control, but it’s still happening,” said Commanding Officer John Mastronardi.
Police are also urging residents to be extremely vigilant by double checking locked doors, installing and ensuring surveillance systems are running, and even posting “beware of dog” signs in windows, all of which can deter burglars.
“Know your neighbor’s routines,” Mastronardi said. “This is the season for package and property theft and burglaries and car break ins.”
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