Detectives are working to identify and locate a group of unknown suspects involved in a recent string of residential burglaries in Poway.
According to investigators from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s Poway Station, at least seven home burglaries have taken place in Poway between May 8 and June 6 – most of them at homes within an area of four-square-miles near Espola and Twin Peaks Roads.
Each time, the burglaries are similar in nature.
Detectives say the suspects enter the homes through unlocked doors and windows. In one case, the burglars entered a home through an unlocked front door.
The suspects then steal prescription medications, jewelry, cash and computer equipment and electronics such as laptops, tablets and iPods.
In each case, investigators say the burglaries have occurred on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., with most happening between 10:30 a.m. and noon.
So far, the suspects have hit the following locations: 14000 block of Old Station Road; 14700 block of Kalapana Street; 14300 block of Carnitas Street; 16400 block of Bridlewood Road; 15200 block of Crestview Court; 12400 block of Schaler Drive; and the 13400 block of Calle Colina.
At the corner of Carnitas Street and Kalapana Street, two houses were burglarized on the same day.
At this time, deputies have no suspects in custody and no suspect descriptions tied to any of the residential burglaries.
Investigators are asking anyone with information on this burglary ring to call the Poway sheriff’s station at (858) 513-2800 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could receive a reward of up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case.
Meanwhile, Poway residents say they’re shaken by the string of burglaries. Many are beefing up security around their homes.
Resident Tony Lopez said buying an alarm system for his home following the burglaries was an easy decision.
“Just having them so close to the house, it sent me and my wife a little alert and we purchased an alarm,” Lopez told NBC 7.
Another Poway resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told NBC 7 that she came home to see one suspect acting as a lookout while another jumped out of a window and then ran off to a getaway car waiting nearby.
“She went out to the grocery store and came back. So, she’s a stay-at-home mom and it happened to her. They must’ve been watching the house,” Lopez added.
Deputies want to remind residents to take the time to lock their windows and doors before leaving their homes every day.
Resident Cindy Charron said she’s taking the warning to heart.
“It’s a little alarming. It’s getting warm; it’s summer. People tend to leave their doors unlocked and windows open. I know I do sometimes. Probably won’t anymore,” said Charron.
