Police issue warning after burglars hit Lincolnshire subdivisions

Lincolnshire police on Tuesday urged local residents to protect themselves and their belongings after a string of home and car burglaries in town.

The five crimes were committed during the past week in subdivisions that are south of Half Day Road and between Riverwoods Road and the Tri-State Tollway.

The burglars struck overnight every time, Detective John-Erik Anderson said.

Nearly all of the burglaries were crimes of opportunity that were assisted by unlocked car doors or garage doors, police said.

In one case, a burglar got into an unlocked car, used a garage-door opener to enter the garage of the house and went inside the home while the residents were asleep, police said. The thief took two purses.

Elsewhere, a burglar took keys out of an unlocked car and used them to enter a second vehicle, police said. The burglar drove off in the second vehicle, a 2012 Volvo, Anderson said.

One crime was different. That time, a car window was smashed and nothing was stolen, Anderson said.

Because of the crimes, officers have increased patrols in the area.

People should be sure to lock doors and not leave valuable items, such as tablet computers, GPS devices, purses and wallets, in plain sight, police said.

Police also suggested homeowners turn on their exterior lights at night.

Anyone with information abut the crimes can call Anderson or detective Adam Hyde at (847) 883-9900.

Anyone who spots suspicious people or vehicles in a neighborhood should call 911.