Aurora police probing seven house burglaries

Burglars have struck seven houses on Aurora's west side since Sept. 5, police say, with six of the burglaries occurring during the day.

The break-ins occurred at homes on the 500 block of North Elmwood Drive between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Sept. 5; the 900 block of North Calumet Avenue between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Sept. 9; and the 1100 block of Orchard Lake Drive between 10 p.m. Sept. 9 and 4:15 a.m. Sept. 10, police said.

The other burglaries came on Sept. 10 at homes on the 400 block of Oak Avenue between 7:30 and 11:30 a.m.; the 300 block of Sunset Avenue between 9:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.; the 1900 block of Birch Lane between 11:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.; and the 700 block of Oak Avenue between 7:30 and 11 a.m.

Police said the burglars made off with jewelry and electronics worth more than $9,000. In the only case in which they didn't take such items, they stole a pit bull puppy.

Police said the intruders gained entry to most of the homes through rear windows or doors, some of which were unlocked.

At this point, police said they have few clues about possible suspects. A man dressed in black was seen riding a bicycle and acting suspiciously around the time of the burglary on the 700 block of Oak Street, but neighbors didn't call 911.

Police also responded to a report of a man looking in the window of a home on the 1000 block of Masters Parkway about a block from another burglary scene, but he was only identified as about 6 feet tall and wearing dark clothing.

In both cases, witnesses were unsure of the man's race or any other features.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at (630) 256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000. Calls to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to any arrests.