Some La Jolla residents were stunned after three homes were burglarized on Monday in the span of two and a half hours.
Thieves stole from homes on Chelsea St., Folsom Dr. and Waverly Dr., all of which are just a few blocks from each other between approximately 11a.m. and 1:30p.m.
Police said one victim returned home as the burglars were stealing items from the home. She said two men had stuffed their pockets with jewelry and other items.
"The suspects fled and the the resident did the right thing and went to a neighbor's house, used their phone to call 911," said Capt. Brian Ahearn of the San Diego Police Department's Northern Division.
Another victim who wanted to remain anonymous, was extremely upset.
"I feel violated and disgusted. Why would somebody do this?" she said.
The burglaries at three of the homes occurred despite security systems in place at the residences. Capt. Ahearn said all doors were locked at the residences.
Patricia Marino said spoke to police and who told her the criminals target specific homes. "Thieves know if you have dogs and the alarm is on, then the motion sensor is off," she said.
Marino also said there had been several burglaries in the neighborhood since the beginning of the year.
She's now working to establish a neighborhood watch group so that people in the community can be wary of the others that don't belong in the area known as Upper Hermosa near Bird Rock.
Police said officers arrived on scene minutes after multiple reports of burglaries. A helicopter was also deployed in an attempt to catch the suspects.
Police said the suspects were 2 African American males aged 19 to 25 wearing white t-shirt and dark jeans. Capt. Ahearn said they drove an older model red-maroon Mitsubishi Eclipse. Police urge those with information to contact them.
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