Lemoore Police investigating uptick in home burglaries

LEMOORE, Calif. (KFSN) -- Michael Lucky retired from the Navy so he is almost always home during the day. But recently Lucky found out one of his neighbors' homes had been burglarized while she was away for the weekend.

"It was a big eye opener for me," Lucky said.

Lemoore Police said there have been 15 home burglaries since the beginning of September. That is an increase, but unfortunately Lemoore Police Corporal Mark Pescatore said property crimes are becoming more prevalent in the city and county.

"It's spread out throughout the city so it's making it a little bit more difficult for us to kind of focus in our efforts to suppress this problem," Pescatore said.

But police said they have obtained surveillance video from residents in the affected neighborhoods. They are also reviewing physical evidence left at some of the scenes, and will work the cases until the leads run out or they arrest suspects.

"The methodology has been pretty much the same," Pescatore said. "They're at least attempting to make contact at the door and it seems like when they don't have an answer, they're forcing entry through either a front door or a side garage door."

Once inside, thieves have taken jewelry, some electronics, and even a firearm.

Lemoore Police are encouraging residents to report anything out of the ordinary or suspicious, and to secure their homes.

"Anything you can do to fortify your home, your doors, is a good idea," Pescatore said. "Alarm systems, video cameras, we encourage our residents to take as much precaution as you can."

"This being a military community here, you get people coming and going all the time, so I think that Lemoore needs to beef up and get a better community watch program," Lucky said.

Lucky will look out for his neighborhood but it will take more than him, and police, to keep the watch.