Utica Police Work Overtime NYE to Investigate Break-ins

A Utica home was broken into overnight on Dec. 31 while the homeowner and his girlfriend slept in the bedroom.

Thieves riffled through the kitchen, living room and two cars in the driveway on Keding Street and stole more than $90 cash, a PS3 gaming system, remote controllers for the PS3 and several games.

The homeowner told he noticed the home had been burglarized when he woke up around 9 a.m. Police believe the thieves or thief entered the home through the sliding door as the couple and the family dog slept in their bedroom.

Money was missing from the girlfriend’s coat, and both keys from the man and woman’s vehicles were missing, but later found outside.

Money from the woman’s purse, which was inside of her vehicle parked on the driveway, was stolen but nothing was taken from inside the homeowner’s vehicle.

Purse Stolen From Home

A handmade purse was stolen from inside a home on the 1100 block of Pinewood Street on Dec. 31.

The homeowner told police she had left her purse on the couch in the living room, which could be seen from the porch overnight. She noticed the purse missing just after 8 a.m.

The victim told police she had left the front door unlocked overnight, and in the morning she noticed a muddy footprint on the porch.

The purse contained her wallet, keys to a rental vehicle, her Social Security card, a Michigan Concealed Pistol license, checkbook and driver’s license.

Penzoil Broken Into 

The owner of Penzoil on Van Dyke Avenue told police he found the back door of his business kicked in when he arrived at the oil change shop around 8 a.m. Dec. 31.

The drawers in the owner’s office, including two that were latch-locked, had been vandalized, but nothing was taken.

Police have not said if any of the break-ins are related.

For questions about this blotter, email Marina.Cracchiolo@Patch.com.