Rash of daylight burglaries continues in Greencastle

Friday, December 14, 2012

Just two days after authorities warned of an ongoing rash of burglary and burglary attempts occurring around Greencastle, the brazen daylight thieves have struck again.

One home burglary, one residential attempt and an incident at a local storage unit facility were discovered Wednesday, Greencastle City Police reported on Thursday.

In an incident discovered at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, a home in the 200 block of Hillsdale Avenue was entered and apparently only jewelry was taken.

The homeowners, however, believe they may have interrupted the burglary in progress as they returned home at 4:15 to find a Play Station unit unhooked and sitting on the living room floor.

Discovery of the back door to the residence left standing wide open also seemed to indicate a quick getaway was affected by the intruders, GPD Officer Albert Epple reported.

The thief or thieves made entry to the home by prying open the side door to the residence, police said.

At this point, the owners believe only jewelry was taken in the incident. No dollar value was available on the stolen jewelry.

A few blocks west of that location, an attempted break-in was discovered Wednesday afternoon at a home in the 400 block of North College Avenue.

The homeowner was gone from 7:25 a.m. until 3:45 p.m., returning to find several pry marks on the back door to the residence. However, no entry was gained, police said.

Meanwhile, the storage units owned by Dr. Thomas Black behind Acute Medical Care at 1145 Indianapolis Rd., were the scene of a burglary and another attempt, Officer Epple reported.

Sometime Tuesday or Wednesday, one unit was entered and a home stereo unit and car stereo were taken. No estimated value of the stolen items was available.

Attempts were made to enter a second storage unit with thieves leaving behind heavy pry bar marks, Epple noted.

Earlier this week police had warned city residents to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity in their areas.

"We've had a rash of home burglaries, which is really rare for us," GPD Capt. Randy Seipel told the Banner Graphic.

All of those incidents have occurred during the daytime, although the areas in which the previous cases took place differ drastically.

"Basically, it's been all over town," Det. Seipel said.

Last Monday, City Police investigated both a burglary at an Indianapolis Road location and an attempt at a North College Avenue home.

Previous incidents had occurred recently on Albin Pond Road and East Walnut Street, while a Shadowlawn Avenue residential burglary about six weeks ago is still considered an open case, Seipel said.

Mostly the brazen thieves have been taking cash and/or jewelry in their daring daylight escapades.

"Items easy to carry," Seipel suggested.

So far, no one has reported seeing any suspicious vehicles at any of the crime scenes.

Police urge local residents to report any suspicious activity in their area to central dispatch by calling 653-3155 (and pushing zero for an operator) or by calling 911.

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