Residents urged to help with burglaries

by BILL BULEY
Staff Writer | November 17, 2011 8:15 PM

COEUR d'ALENE - Police are encouraging residents to form block watch groups to help combat a wave of daytime burglaries in the area.

The Coeur d'Alene Police Department is working with area agencies to investigate a series of burglaries that have occurred in the city and county. They believe suspects are knocking on doors and when no one answers, they break in.

"These burglaries have a similar pattern of taking place in the daytime hours with suspects brazenly kicking open doors to residences," according to a press release.

Meanwhile, another resident reported they believe their home was burglarized on Veterans Day.

According to a police report, a homeowner on the 2800 block of Loire Drive told police that an Xbox system, games and controller valued at $850 are missing from her son's bedroom.

She believes the theft occurred between 8:30-11 a.m. Friday because no one was home at that time.

Another resident told police that on Nov. 9 he was home alone about 2 p.m. at the 1000 block of west Fallview Drive when two suspects, a male and a female, knocked and rang the doorbell multiple times. When the resident didn't answer the door, the male suspect pulled some keys out of his pocket, and tried to open the front door.

"The victim heard this, and locked the deadbolt to the door," the release said. "The male suspect looked through the half-moon shaped window on top of the front door and saw the victim. Both suspects then fled the scene."

Anyone that comes into contact with persons claiming to be selling firewood, stating they are lost or any similar scenario is asked to get a description of the suspects, and their vehicle if possible and contact their local law enforcement agency.

Residents are encouraged to keep their deadbolts locked while away from home.

Police also encourage existing block watch groups to have a meeting and discuss crime prevention measures. If your neighborhood does not have an existing blockwatch group and would like to start one, contact the police department at 769-2320.