$20,000 watch stolen from Arlington Heights home

A thief broke into an Arlington Heights home Wednesday night and made off with a $20,000 watch, according to authorities.

Police said a family from the 1000 block of East Thomas Street returned from eating dinner out to find their front door unlocked and furniture in disarray.

The family immediately left the house and called police, who discovered rooms that had been rifled through and a metal safe that had been drilled open, said Arlington Heights police Sgt. Tom Boggs.

A Rolex watch valued at $20,000 was missing from inside the safe and the family's dog was found locked inside the laundry room, Boggs said. The rear entrance door had been forced open.

Police continue to investigate the crime, which occurred sometime between 5:45 and 9 p.m.