Police Investigate String Of Home Burglaries In Southbay
BELMONT (CBS SF) -- Police were investigating three home burglaries that occurred in a Belmont neighborhood Friday and appear to be connected to a string of recent burglaries in San Mateo and Hillsborough.
The burglaries took place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the 1600 block of Manzanita Avenue, in the 1700 block of Valley View Avenue and in the 2000 block of Mezes Avenue, police said.
Police said officers received a tip from a neighbor in the area reporting that someone had knocked on their door on Friday morning to ask about selling their car, which was not for sale.
The neighbor described that person as a black man in his mid 20s with a stocky build, gold caps or a gold grill on his front teeth who was last seen wearing a red sweatshirt or jacket and red cap, according to police.
Police believe the burglaries reported Friday are related to a series of similar home burglaries reported in recent months throughout the Peninsula.
In many of those cases, suspects would go to the home's front door to see if anyone is there and force entry at a rear or side door if they do not get an answer, police said.
Belmont police Chief Dan DeSmidt said residents should "immediately report suspicious activity and take steps to secure their homes."
Anyone with information about these cases is asked to call Belmont police at (650) 595-7400 or the crime tip line at (650) 598-3000.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
