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GREENSBORO, N.C. -
Thieves have broken into about a dozen homes in the upscale New Irving Park neighborhood this month, stealing electronics, jewelry and yard tools, police said.
The criminals usually enter the homes by the back door after residents have left for work or are taking their kids to school. The "smash and grab" type burglaries are done very quickly.
"They're kicking in the doors and they're in and out in less than 15 minutes," said Eugene Russell, a retired New Irving Park resident who tries to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior.
"If I'm out in the mornings, I take an extra couple of minutes and I drive randomly along different streets looking for cars that I don't think should be there," he said. "If ever I find one, I call 911."
Police are urging all residents of the upscale neighborhood, located north of West Cone Blvd. and west of North Elm St., to be vigilant in reporting suspicious people and cars. Investigators believe the break-ins are connected, but do not have a description of the suspect or suspects.
On Thursday, resident Scott Brown was delivering Neighborhood Watch letters about the recent crimes.
"I personally have had my car broken into twice, leaf blower stolen out of my yard in broad daylight, and there was a rash they hit all the neighbors' garages up and down the street," he said.
Brown believes the thieves are targeting New Irving Park because it's an upscale neighborhood with many different routes out.
"The accessibility of parking on one street, cutting through yards and getting to the other, so it makes for a good escape route for these criminals," he said.
The criminals usually enter the homes by the back door after residents have left for work or are taking their kids to school. The "smash and grab" type burglaries are done very quickly.
"They're kicking in the doors and they're in and out in less than 15 minutes," said Eugene Russell, a retired New Irving Park resident who tries to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior.
"If I'm out in the mornings, I take an extra couple of minutes and I drive randomly along different streets looking for cars that I don't think should be there," he said. "If ever I find one, I call 911."
Police are urging all residents of the upscale neighborhood, located north of West Cone Blvd. and west of North Elm St., to be vigilant in reporting suspicious people and cars. Investigators believe the break-ins are connected, but do not have a description of the suspect or suspects.
On Thursday, resident Scott Brown was delivering Neighborhood Watch letters about the recent crimes.
"I personally have had my car broken into twice, leaf blower stolen out of my yard in broad daylight, and there was a rash they hit all the neighbors' garages up and down the street," he said.
Brown believes the thieves are targeting New Irving Park because it's an upscale neighborhood with many different routes out.
"The accessibility of parking on one street, cutting through yards and getting to the other, so it makes for a good escape route for these criminals," he said.
