BOISE – Boise Police are warning residents to keep their garage doors closed after two recent thefts cases where the suspect entered through an open garage door.
Investigators say in each case, not only was the garage door open, but the door leading from the garage to the house was unlocked. This allowed the thief to get away with purses and a computer.
Both burglaries occurred last week in a west Boise neighborhood between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. One of the stolen purses was left on a shelf in a mud room just inside the garage door, while the other purse was taken from a dining area just a few steps inside the home. A laptop computer on the dining room table was also stolen.
Police say in both cases there were people in the homes when the burglaries occurred. No suspect was spotted by residents. It is unclear if the same person burglarized both homes.
"It's definitely bold and honestly very concerning that the thief walked right by cars parked in the garage, indicating someone could be home, and went right inside the house. Officers are investigating, but this is an important reminder that what may begin as a property crime, a crime of opportunity through an unlocked door, could turn into a confrontation and become something dangerous," said Det. Wade Spain of the Boise Police Property Crimes Unit.
Spain says an open door can become an invitation to a thief at any time of the day, even if someone is home.
Boise Police advise residents to lock it or lose it. They say open garage doors provide thieves easy access to bikes, tools and even cars left running.
- Always keep doors and windows locked, and valuables out of sight.
- Be sure to keep outside lights on at night and cut back landscaping that could give a thief cover.
Anyone with information on who may be behind the home burglaries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 343-COPS.
