Willow Glen Resident

News

Residents hope to stop 'serial burglar' of multiple break-ins

By Tiffany Carney

A string of home burglaries in the Cambrian and Willow Glen neighborhoods prompted 100 residents to come to Bagby Elementary School on Dec. 19 to ask police how to stop the so-called "serial burglar."

According to San Jose Police Capt. Dave Cavallaro, there have been 22 home burglaries reported in the area over a 45-day period. Newark Way, Rodney Drive, Sunbonnet Loop and Briarwood Drive are among the areas that have been hit, he added.

Out of the 100 neighbors at the meeting, 10 reported that their homes had been broken into in the last few months.

Cavallaro said most of the burglaries have taken place on Friday and Saturday evenings when no one is home, but some have occurred while residents were asleep.

The burglar has reportedly entered homes through unlocked windows, side gates and side garage doors. Once inside, the burglar has stolen various items, including purses, sports memorabilia, camping gear, power tools and even a 17-inch television.

Cavallaro said witnesses described the burglar as a thin, 17- to 20-year-old, light-skinned man about 5 feet, 10 inches tall.

Jill Baldwinson organized the community meeting after discovering that three of her neighbors had been victimized. She wanted to get the word out to others.

Hope Cahan was among those whose homes had been burglarized. Until the meeting, Cahan said she thought that her break-in was an isolated incident and had no idea that others in her neighborhood were also victims.

It's important for the neighbors to get together to discuss what is happening in the neighborhood, Cahan said.

"Although it is upsetting to have someone break into your house, I am not that concerned about the safety of our neighborhood," Cahan said. "[Burglars] are just taking opportunities when they see them."

Cavallaro said an important aspect of prevention is to "harden the target." This means keeping bushes trimmed back and installing outdoor lights or sensor lights.

He urged residents to examine their homes after dark from across the street. "Does it look like a place that a burglar might find inviting or have a place to hide?"