Darien Police Step Up Patrols After String Of Robberies
(CBS) -- Burglars have targeted a small area in a DuPage County town and police are asking for the public's help to track them down.
Since September 15, burglars broke into nine homes in a portion of west suburban Darien. CBS 2'S Marissa Bailey reports the burglaries all took place within a mile and a half of each other and while it's unclear if this is the work of one person or a group of people, investigators believe they are connected.
The first burglary occurred September 15, with the second coming one week later and a third burglary week after that. They happened between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and all took place when no one was home.
"We saw one incidence of two burglaries on the same street and that was also indicative of the fact that there was some group or individual working a pattern in that area," said Darien Police Chief Ernest Brown.
In each case, investigators say the burglars ring the doorbell to check and see who's home, then break a window or door to get inside, stealing whatever they can as fast as they can.
"Jewelry, money, things that they can easily hide for the most part. In one particular instance, the offender took the booty from the burglary in a pillow case that he took from the scene," Chief Brown said.
He says after the five burglaries in September and October, police stepped up patrols and surveillance in the area. There was nothing for almost a month, until Monday when the alleged burglars hit four more houses to make it nine in two months.
Chief Brown says those homes are eight times more likely to be hit again.
"There takes a certain level of brazenness for an individual to break into someone's home so I'm very concerned and this is very high on the priority list - it won't get much higher on our priority list," he said.
Darien police will start comparing notes with police departments in the neighboring communities to see if - they too - are experiencing similar burglaries.
Darien Police will hold two meetings on the burglaries with the first one this Friday at the Darien Police station, 1710 Plainfield Road, at 10:30 a.m. and one enxt Tuesday at the Carriage Greens Country Club, 8700 Carriage Green Dr.,
Darien, at 6:30 p.m.
2 Investigator Dave Savini recently looked into home burglaries and discovered tips to protect your family. Click here for the story.
