moorheadspuds.com

Time are tough on the streets.

“(WDAY TV) – It seems like a new round of burglaries is in the news everyday, but is there really that many more of them or are we just taking notice and reporting them more? WDAY 6 Reporter Stephanie Goetz takes a look at the numbers and tells us why police say until people learn to lock their doors; the thieves will keep coming back for more.

The Charleswood and Tintes additions are the most recent neighborhoods to be hit by criminals that looking for items that are easily accessible and can be easily be sold for cash. These are crimes that law enforcement say they’re seeing a lot of this summer.

The number of burglary reports in Fargo is up 16 from this time last year. West Fargo’s numbers have nearly doubled, while Moorhead has only seen two more break-in reports than until august 2008. Police say the reason is because criminals are going door to door until they find their big break.

“These guys always think they’re going to hit the jackpot when they break into a house.”

“And they just keep going and keep going and keep going until they get caught.”

What are they looking for? Something that’s quick and easy for them to grab, like electronics, cash and prescription drugs.

“And then readily able to be sold again, either through a pawn shop or to somebody on the street.”

Police say most of the burglaries in all three cities have been homes that are wide open, unlocked and easily able to break into.

“These guys aren’t doing what they’re doing because they like to work.”

“If you don’t make your stuff available to them, certainly they’re going to go to somebody else’s house where it is much more available.”

But the number of criminals in these rising crimes IS NOT increasing. So far, there have been 5 arrests in Moorhead, 4 in West Fargo and only 2 in Fargo. While many are still unsolved, police say a couple arrests could be the answer to solving many cases.

“It’s one person or two or three people that are doing this.”

“Could there be more than one group? Certainly. Do I think that’s the case? No.”

But police always come back to the same thing, by taking the proper precautions, and simply locking your doors, the numbers will slowly decline.

Police suggest getting motion activated lighting installed outside your home. Also, tell your neighbors when you will be gone so they can keep an eye out for suspicious activity.”