After a rash of landscape burglaries in May, several residents reported having solar lights stolen from their lawns and walkways last month. The San Jose police say the motive for stealing both items is probably the same: their resale value.

"If they can make money off it, they'll steal it," said San Jose police spokesman Steve Dixon. "Some stuff ends up at flea markets."

Pete Sanchez, who lives on Curtner Avenue, is one of several residents who reported having the solar lights stolen from their yards last month. "In my case, it may have been a transient walking by [who] took them to make a few bucks," Sanchez said in an email to the Willow Glen Resident.

Sanchez said he filed a theft report online at the San Jose Police Department website. "It's been a week and nothing yet," he added. "Since the value of the lights was less than $100, I don't think I'll be hearing back."

Sanchez is not the only resident affected by this latest rash of thefts. Judy Mazzaglia reported that her solar lights "were pulled out from the stakes, which the thief so kindly left behind." Mazzaglia added that the theft was "not a big deal, but obviously people are out roaming the streets of our neighborhood during the night and are up to no good."

Dixon said it's hard to tell if the recent thefts in Willow Glen have been numerous enough to suggest a pattern. "The department doesn't keep track of thefts by the type of thing stolen," he added. "That's the kind of stuff we need to know when we go into community meetings."

To get this input from residents, a beat officer attends meetings of the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association.

"Officers have been pretty good about doing extra patrols," said Willow Glen Neighborhood Association board member Jim Spence. "Sometimes neighborhood nuisances can be taken care of at the same time as larger problems."

Solar lights aren't hard to steal, Spence said, since they're usually installed by being pushed into the ground.

"It's very easy to take them and go," he added.

Spence and Dixon agreed that the best way for neighbors to protect their own property is to watch out for each other.

"Get out and get to know your neighbors," Spence said. "Be aware if there's something happening in your neighborhood. If you see something out of the ordinary, call the police department."