Burglars Targeted HP Last Week
Five home burglaries were reported in Highland Park between 2 p.m. last Wednesday and 8 o’clock the following morning, but I’m going to focus on only one of them in this post. You’ll have to get a paper to read about the others.
After 11:30 p.m., a burglar rifled through a white 2011 Mercedes and a red 2002 BMW that were both left unlocked in a driveway in the 3600 block of Beverly Drive. After using a garage-door opener left in the BMW, the burglar entered an attached garage and rifled though a black 2012 Audi.
The burglar then entered the house — in which five people were sleeping — through an unlocked door and stole a $2,500 Louis Vuitton purse that held a $20,000 pair of diamond stud earrings, a white envelope containing $9,000 in cash, a $2,000 Mac Air computer bearing a Snow White sticker, an $800 Louis Vuitton wallet containing $400 in cash, a $400 iPad Mini, and two $300 Louis Vuitton makeup bags. The burglar also stole a $2,000 Chanel purse that held a $200 Louis Vuitton wallet.
At 2:20 a.m., an officer begain tailing a black 2012 Kia Rio that was going about 10 mph in the 4800 block of St. Johns Drive. A dispatcher advised the officer that the Rio had been reported stolen in Glenn Heights. The officer followed the Rio north on Byron Avenue and east on Mockingbird Lane before turning on his overhead lights.
At first, the Rio seemed to slow down. Then the driver stepped on the gas, and the Rio accelerated on the southbound Central Expressway service road. After opening his door, as if he was going to leap from the Rio, the driver turned right at Airline Road. When he tried to make a left at Cornell Avenue, he crashed into a gold 1996 Toyota Camry parked on the street. He exited the Rio through the passenger door and fled on foot, running down an alley and between houses.
The thief eluded officers, but they recovered a lot of stolen goods from the Rio, including the aforementioned Chanel and Louis Vuitton purses, with the latter holding only $8,100 in cash; four laptops; and three iPhones, including one in a Hello Kitty case.
Obviously, I’m not going to have room for all of these details in the newspaper. Fortunately, there will be no space limitations in the free crime-blotter newsletter we’re going to start emailing soon. Sign up by clicking the banner at the top of our home page.
People, lock your doors. It’s a simple thing really. This family is lucky to have only been robbed.
Is it really necessary to publish every financial detail or dollar amount? I understand this info maybe a matter of public records and that it adds a certain WOW factor to your paper/blog but it also shows future burglars what can be found in the PC when someone forgets something as simple as locking a car door. I guess what I’m saying is this sort of information draws a lot of unwanted attention and in my opinion puts the rest of us at risk. Anyhow, I think the HP/UP Police department along with the City, should devise a plan to help better educate residents in how to help prevent crimes of this nature. I’m not suggesting a neighbor hood crime watch per se, just some kind of flyer with basic information that can be mailed or emailed to Park City residents. Things like locking your doors, both car and home. If a lock is broken, get it fixed etc.
Like the doormat says, “THE NEIGHBORS HAVE BETTER STUFF”.
@Ray, As far as the financial detail, pretty sure burglars (and/or anyone) are aware that a good amount of people in the PC have silly expensive items in their homes. Don’t think that it is HP/UP Police departments or city’s responsibility to inform residents to lock their car doors since as you say, it is simple; and would prevent crimes of this nature.
I remember when everyone pretty much did the same back in the seventies and eighties. I still lock my car and set the alarm and I park in a secured garage. This is still Dallas.
@Avid Reader: Yes, PC is known for it’s wealth but now we’re gaining an addition to that in that we leave it all laying and unlocked. Sensationalizing burglaries such as this one only temps future burglaries in my opinion. It wasn’t that long ago when PCP published an article about someone else loosing $500,000 worth of items. You’re right, It’s not the PD’s responsibility to educate people but a lack of education has consequences as well. We used to have an apartment in Uptown and one day someone got into the garage and stole a Tahoe and 4 sets of tires. People would let everyone waiting by the garage gate. So the apartment invited the police out to talk with the residents who wanted to attend. It was all basic stuff but we heard some weird stuff from the people. Including one person who saw the people taking the wheels. They didn’t think anything of it and let it go. So I don’t think having the PD hold a small meeting or send out some type of flyer is unreasonable. Anyways, I’ve said all I really feel like saying about it. My first step is to buy a floor mat @ Beverly on a Budget” has, The Neighbors have better stuff lol
@Ray…Educating PC residents about locking their doors and repairing broken locks? If that needs telling I think there is a big problem. Common sense, dude. Maybe we should also tell PC residents to put gas in their car when the empty light comes on and be sure to turn off the water faucet if you’re not home.
Thank you, Dougie. My thoughts exactly. Best time to go on a burglary spree would be when the PD is in a conference room with area residents telling them to keep their doors locked. Geez.
Hello Ray!
Locked your doors & turn on your alarm!! Do you need the police to tell you that.