Neighbors in a quiet Scripps Ranch community are growing fearful since three homes have been burglarized in the past week and no one has been caught.
Parks, families, and strolls around the neighborhood. It's what you will see in the Stonebridge community, but thieves see something different.
“It violates your sense of security around here in what everyone considers a safe neighborhood,” Stonebridge resident Cynthia Kurose said. “Scripps ranch really is.”
Despite security cameras and other security measures, police don't have a description on the suspect or suspects connected to the break-ins.
Larry Parker says he was in his home a week ago when his neighbor’s house was broken into. He didn't hear or notice anything.
“It was a six bedroom house. They went through every bedroom, opened up every drawer, emptied it,” Parker said, describing one break-in. Parker is a Stonebridge HOA board member. “Kitchen, living rooms, family rooms, everything was opened up and spread out all over the floor.”
“He had jewelry that was in a suitcase in a closet, and they actually went in his closet, opened up every suitcase and found his jewelry,” Parker continued.
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The break-in Parker described was the third incident in just one week. The San Diego Police Department said they haven't been able to get a suspect description and don't know if they are looking for one person or multiple people.
Meanwhile, neighbors are scrambling to secure their homes.
“It causes you to really think about the security measures that you may have in place at home,” neighbor Cynthia Kurose said. “All the neighbors are really talking about deterrents and everything that you can install and try and protect yourself and your family.”
A lot of homes in the neighborhood have some sort of visible surveillance or home defense system. Parker says everyone is trying to do their part.
“Be aware. Turn on your outside lights. Make sure your doors are locked. Make sure if you do have valuables that they are tucked away in a safe,” he said.
Although police haven't caught those responsible for the break-ins, there are some commonalities between all the incidents. All three happened between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., and in all three cases the burglars broke windows to get inside of the homes.
