Belmont Thieves Target Unlocked Cars To Burglarize Homes
BELMONT (CBS SF) -- Two more homes were burglarized in Belmont on Saturday morning by thieves targeting unlocked cars, continuing a string of burglaries in the Peninsula city, police said.
In the first incident, a resident in the 1900 block of Hillman Avenue was awoken around 1:30 a.m. by the sound of a garage door opening. The resident discovered that someone had entered the unlocked car that was parked in the driveway, and used the garage door opener to enter the garage. A silver mountain bike was taken from the garage before the suspect fled, Belmont police said.
KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:
A short time later, around 2 a.m., a resident in the 1700 block of Pine Knoll Drive heard their dogs barking, but did not check on them.
Around 7:30 a.m., the victim discovered that someone had entered both the unlocked car in the driveway and their home. The suspect took coins from the vehicle, and a wallet and keys off the table in the family room and ran out the back door.
The wallet was found outside, missing an undetermined amount of cash, but the keys, which belonged to a friend of the resident, were not found.
Several unlocked vehicles were also burglarized overnight on Notre Dame Avenue, Hillman Avenue and Folger Drive.
The residential burglaries bring the total number of such incidents since Monday up to nine, and police are asking homeowners to be on guard.
This week's prior burglaries occurred between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in a central area of Belmont - mostly west of El Camino Real and east of Alameda de las Pulgas. No residents were at home during the burglaries, according to police.
The burglars stole jewelry and electronic equipment.
"Residents should make sure they lock their homes when they are away and consider an alarm system," police Chief Don Mattei said in a statement. "If you see a person or vehicle in your neighborhood that looks suspicious, please call police right away, it's important that neighbors look out for each other."
Police are searching for two persons of interest who were seen in the 1800 block of Oak Knoll Drive on Thursday, near the scene of two of the burglaries.
The first was described as a white man, between 25 and 30 years old, with a thin build and short blonde hair. Police said the man approached a resident and asked if they had a dog for sale. The resident told the man he had the wrong address and the man left. No vehicle was seen.
The second person of interest was described as a black man between 20 and 30 years old, with a medium build. He was seen knocking on doors in the area and was associated with a gray BMW sedan.
Anyone with information is asked to call Belmont police at (650) 595-7400.
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