Long Beach Police Warn Public About Rise In "Knock-Knock" Burglaries
LONG BEACH (CBSLA.com) — There has been a troubling recent increase in "knock-knock" burglaries in Long Beach.
"Knock-knock" burglaries refer to a team of two or more burglars who go door to door to see if anyone is home. Authorities notice an increase every year, and want to inform the public to be prepared.
Long Beach Police Department Sergeant Robert Woods spoke on items that burglars tend to keep an eye out to steal.
"A lot of the times what we've found is that your nicer jewelry, some of the things that they can sell street readily, laptops and that, are generally gone very quickly," Woods said.
So far in 2013, authorities in Long Beach have arrested 63 adults and 21 juveniles for burglary, an increase over last year's numbers by this time of the year.
Authorities say this is all the more reason to prepare your home.
"They are targeting specific houses that they think they're going to be able to make easy entry on," Woods stated.
Investigators suggest that most of the burglaries are taking place on quiet streets during work hours.
The difficulty, according to authorities, is that the burglars are blending in well, knocking on neighborhood doors, and are not easily identified.
"With these 'knock-knock' burglars, these people are trying to fit in to the community, just acting innocuous, going up, knocking on a door," Woods said. "We need people to be vigilant. If you see somebody in your neighborhood and they look suspicious to you, call 9-1-1. Give us the opportunity to come out and talk to them."
Burglars who have been detained are telling investigators that they avoid houses that have security signs, as well as doors and windows with bars, and gates.
