Utica Police Warn Residents to Lock Up as Wave of Home Break-ins Continue

The Utica Police Department is warning residents to lock up before bedtime as they continue to investigate a in the central part of the city.

Police Chief Dave Faber said detectives have identified several people who they believe may be responsible for the break-ins, but Faber did not go into detail because he didn't want to jeopardize their investigation.

Detectives believe all the break-ins are related because they follow a similar pattern: Thieves find an open door or window, break into the home overnight while the homeowners sleep and steal mostly electronics, purses and any loose cash.

Thieves attempted to break into two homes on the 45000 block of Kensington Street, which is located between Hall Road and Van Dyke, but they were unsuccessful.

On Jan. 8 a homeowner told police the screen on her townhome had been cut but the door wall was locked, so nothing was taken. On Jan. 11, another homeowner on Kensington Street told police she was woken up by her barking dog, and found the door was left open but nothing was taken.

On Jan. 7, more than $2,500 worth of electronics were stolen from a home on the 11000 block of Pinewood.

Thieves entered the home through a basement egress window overnight while the homeowners slept and took a TV, X-Box, controllers, games, a laptop, and a Sony docking station.

Anyone who may have information on the burglaries is asked to call the Utica Police Department at 586-731-2345.