More than 200 incidents of theft, burglary and stolen vehicles
have occurred in Morgan Hill in the last six months, and police are
urging residents and property owners to take extra precautions to
avoid becoming victims.
More than 200 incidents of theft, burglary and stolen vehicles have occurred in Morgan Hill in the last six months, and police are urging residents and property owners to take extra precautios to avoid becoming victims.
Some suspects have been arrested in relation to some of the crimes, but the crimes have continued despite those arrests, Morgan Hill police Sgt. Jerry Neumayer said.
Incidents reported since July 31, 2010 include 107 automobile break-ins, 31 commercial burglaries, 38 residential burglaries and 41 stolen vehicles, police said.
The auto and commercial burglaries have occurred throughout the city and the times of the incidents vary, Neumayer said. However, many of the incidents have been concentrated in the hours between 2 and 5 a.m., Monday through Thursdays. The residential burglaries have occurred in scattered locations around the city, but several have occurred between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m., when residents are not at home.
“The purpose of this (statement) is to inform the public of the increased thefts and to remind them to shut their car windows, lock the doors, and remove all visible personal and valuable items such as purses, wallets, radios, phones, laptops and other valued items from their unattended vehicles,” Neumayer said.
Police have even heard reports of garage door openers stolen from vehicles, and encourage anyone who has been so victimized to call the police department and change the code to the garage door opener if possible, or unplug it, Neumayer said.
“The police department also encourages residents to lock the doors and windows of their home when they are away. Some other suggestions are to leave a light or radio on, making possible burglars believe someone may be home, install an alarm system, or install motion sensing lights around the exterior of the home,” Neumayer said.
Anyone who has information about any of the property crime incidents, or has been a victim, can call police at (408) 779-2101, or the anonymous tip line at (408) 947-7867.
