Someone breaks a bedroom window and gains access to a residence on Saraglen Drive in late June. The robber escapes with a $2,000 Omega wristwatch.

Earlier in the month, sheriff's deputies arrest two burglars on Masson Terrace Court in the middle of a burglary attempt.

Summer is here, bringing with it long leisurely days of vacationing. Unfortunately, this is high season for home burglars, too.

"The burglars cruise the neighborhood and try to find out who is not home, especially during long weekends," said Capt. John Hirokawa of the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department.

Hirokawa suggested enlisting the help of neighbors while on a vacation. "Get someone to pick up the papers and mail," he said, "because there might be people driving up and down the street looking for signs that residents might be away on a vacation." Since most schools are closed, a lot of juveniles are also involved in these burglaries, according to Hirokawa.

Burglars also keep an eye out for double-income families, where the house is empty for most of the day. "They rarely use the front door to get into the house. It is always a door or window away from the street, preferably unlocked," said Hirokawa.

The first place burglars look for valuables is the master bedroom and the master bathroom. "This is usually where most people keep their valuables lying around. Burglars know that people keep their jewelry in these areas," said Hirokawa. "Then they will ransack other rooms if they have the time."

Sheriff's deputies have also noticed that a lot of homeowners keep the kitchen door open during the summer. "All that a burglar has to do is walk in and take stuff," said Hirokawa.

Deputies advise residents not to leave valuables in the master rooms. Doors should be locked and alarm systems switched on even when people are going out for dinner, because burglars often keep a watch to see when people are leaving for dinner.

"An open door is always an invitation for burglars. Anything one can do to slow down the burglars helps," said Hirokawa.

Deputies have noticed that when burglars find one house too difficult to break into, they go to another one in the neighborhood. They say that people get a little complacent, thinking that Saratoga is a safe town. "Saratoga is not an island. Our county is the fourth most populated county in the state," said Hirokawa.

Sheriff's deputies have found people coming from outside the area and targeting Saratoga because it is an affluent community.

Late last year, a burglary resulted in a loss of $134,000 to a local resident. Deputies arrested the burglar in Northern California, who lived in Palm Springs and had been traveling up and down the state committing burglaries. Some of the stolen items were recovered.

"A stolen TV or camera can be replaced. But a piece of jewelry has a lot of sentimental value and can never be replaced," says Hirokawa.

"It only takes one time. The easier you make it for them, the easier you become a victim."

Deputies say that some burglars, besides looking for jewelry and money, may also look for firearms they cannot get legally.

"People think of burglaries as property crimes. But victims feel personally violated, too. Someone has been inside their house and gone through their personal stuff," said Hirokawa.

There have been 10 burglaries in Cupertino in the last week of June. "We have had a few burglaries in Saratoga. We are working on some leads, but there have been no arrests yet," said Hirokawa.

"We have increased patrols in residential areas. If homeowners let us know that they are going on vacation, we can have officers go have a look now and then," said Lt. Terry Calderone of the Sheriff's Department.

Residents can call the West Valley Substation at 408.868.6600 if they are going on vacation. "We can do periodic patrol checks. Residents can also tell us the name of the person who is in charge of the house while they are away. We can then contact the person if it is necessary," said Hirokawa.

For more tips on home safety, visit www.homesafetycouncil.org.