Eastside Defender

The snow is melted and that means it is prime burglary season. Here’s a story from Indiana where a homeowner’s security camera captured the bad guys in action:

The video obtained exclusively by Channel 13 shows the woman suspect knocking on the door. She does nothing to hide her face, so police suspect the couple has no idea they are being recorded by a home security camera.

Moments later her male companion is caught on tape looking in through a front door window pane. You can see him knock on the door and then he turns backwards and gives the door a swift kick, forcing their way in.

Cameras then record the couple carrying out the homeowner's personal belongings, including clothing and what looks like a water cooler bottle full of money.

They get in a late-model Oldsmobile and drive away.

Burglars don’t wear masks like in the cartoons. They often try to look like they have a purpose to be where they are. If they knock and someone is home, they can just say that go the wrong address. If nobody is home, they’re out with your goodies in a couple of minutes.

Better locks and noisy alarms help. Nothing can substitute for neighbors who watch out for each other.

Make your house a harder target so the bad guys move on. What works for one house can work for a block or a neighborhood.