Batavia police warn of burglars

Batavia police are suggesting residents lock their overhead garage doors and close their first-floor windows at night to thwart a burglar or burglars that have struck an east side neighborhood.

Between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. starting Aug. 5 through Wednesday, three houses were burglarized in the 900 to 1200 blocks of Woodland Hills Road and the 1600 block of Wagner Road.

Smartphones and cellphones were taken, according to Detective Sgt. Shawn Mazza.

In one instance, the burglar walked into an open attached garage, then through the door attaching the garage to the house. Police believe the burglar may also be entering through open or unlocked windows. In all cases, the residents were in the home at the time.

The items typically have been left out on tables, he said.

“When it is time to go to sleep — unfortunately in this nice weather — close those windows down and make sure they are locked,” Mazza said.