There have been four residential burglaries reported within the Arapaho HOA and Reservation HOA, two on November 15th and two on the 16th. These occurred on the strrets of Apache, Cottonwood, Teakwood, and Northlake. What seems unique about the offenses is the time frames. All have occurred in the late afternoon to early evening, between 5 pm and 8:30 pm when many people are at home. However, from what I can tell in the reports, these residents were either out and about on errands or were not home from work yet. Entry was gained to the back yards via unlocked gates, then through a rear door or window. Items taken were small and easily concealed. To our disadvantage, it is also dark by 5:30.

So, do we have someone loitering near alleyways and watching for cars backing out of driveways? Is someone walking the alleys looking for indicators that no one is at home? Let's turn up our radars and be on the lookout for suspicious behavior, particularly as we drive down the alleys.

Patrol would like to hear from you via 9-1-1 should you observe something or someone that just does not look right. Finally, is the gate to your back yard secured with a padlock? Slow him down. Make him climb. I wonder if any locked gates actually discouraged him (or her) those two evenings?

John Corbitt, CCPS
Crime Prevention Unit
Richardson Police Department