An attempted burglary on December 5 in Piedmont is linked to a series of break-ins across the Bay Area.
“This is a multi-regional investigation looking at group of individuals,” Piedmont Police Department Captain Chris Monahan said. “At this time, there are several merging investigations. I can’t comment any further so as not to jeopardize any of the other investigations.”
The break-in occurred at a house on Pacific Avenue near Bellevue Avenue between 5 – 7 p.m. Neighbors said that somebody kicked in either a window or a door at a house where the residents were out of town.
“The alarm went off, causing a neighbor’s dog to bark and the suspects left,” neighbor Betsy Lalli said.
It is unknown if they took anything before leaving.
A police detective following up on the burglary told neighbors that Piedmont, Los Altos and Atherton have been targeted by a crime group from South America. They were told that the group watches to see if residents are leaving town.
“(He) told us to move cars around a lot, turn on lights, dogs are always good, no packages or mail left behind, let the police know when you are away, etc.,” one neighbor said.
Said Captain Monahan, “Our CORE4 program outlines these in a bit more detail. I would encourage all of our residents to report any criminally suspicious activity.”
The “CORE4” as outlined on the police department website:
- CAR: keep personal possessions out of plain sight, lock your vehicle, park in well-let areas, and garage your car when possible.
- ONESELF: be aware of your surroundings in public and avoid texting and talking on your phone while walking. Do not give your personal information over the phone or internet to protect yourself against identity theft.
- RESIDENCE: employ the “Three Ls” – Locks, Lights, and Landscaping – by always locking your doors and windows when you leave; using motion sensor lights or setting lights on timers when you’re away from home; and making sure the front and back of your home is clearly visible by maintaining a trimmed landscape.
- ENVIRONMENT: get to know your neighbors by establishing a neighborhood watch group and participate in such crime prevention measures as knowing your neighbors names, phone numbers, and vehicles, stopping deliveries and mail when away, and communicating with neighbors when going on vacation.