Winchester Sees an Increase in Home Break-Ins

As the weather starts to get warmer, Winchester is beginning to see an increase in house break-ins.

Within the last week four homes have been broken into, with three break-ins over the last two days. Homes that have been entered were located along Forest Street, Highland Avenue, Sunset Road and North Board Road.

“We believe it’s the same group,” said Lieutenant Peter MacDonnell. “We don’t know if it’s only one person or a group, but they’ve all been in the same general area and the method of entry has been very similar.”

In three of the homes the front door was forced open by an unknown, blunt object. With the Sunset Road home, the perpetrator attempted to break through the front door, but, according to the police report, was unable to. The perpetrator then went to the back of the home and threw a flowerpot, breaking the glass French doors and entered the home from the rear.

According to the police report, all the homes broken into had recessed front doors, which cannot be seen by the neighbors.

Taken from the residences have been jewelry, money, medication and electronics.

“No one has been seen,” MacDonnell said. “Neighbors either weren’t home or didn’t notice anything unusual.”

MacDonnell said that these break-ins have occurred during the day when no one is home, most likely between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Even though the perpetrators have been breaking down the doors, MacDonnell said residents could still take action to try and prevent their home from being broken into.

“Make sure your home is secure,” MacDonnell said. “Make sure you have good locks and, if you can, invest in an alarm system. Also, if you have neighbors who are home, see if they can keep an eye out while you’re at work.”

MacDonnell also said that residents should be mindful of any suspicious activity.

“It’s either an individual or individuals who probably knock on the door to see if anyone is home,” MacDonnell said. “This is the type of activity you’re probably looking for. They’re knocking on the front door or standing around it, trying to see if anyone is home.”