Police say thieves targeted 4 unoccupied Meridian homes to steal cash, jewelry and guns
.jpg "All break-ins were reported on Sunday.")
Thieves broke into four unoccupied Meridian homes over the weekend, and residents returned to find cash, jewelry, guns and other valuable items stolen, according to Ada County authorities.
The homes were located in a neighborhood in the North Linder Road and West Chinden Boulevard area near The Club at Spurwing.
Intruders smashed glass doors in the back of the homes to gain entrance, and items were taken from bedrooms and home offices, according to a news release from the Ada County Sheriff’s Office.
The thieves appear to have staked out the area to identify which homes were empty of residents, and also selected residences with back doors that looked out on fields or the golf course. Some of the homeowners had been gone for several weeks, one owner had been gone overnight, and one home was not occupied because it was for sale, the release said.
“They appear to be targeting homes that do not have video surveillance systems, motion detector lights, and other security equipment that can act as a deterrent to burglary,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
All break-ins were reported to law enforcement on Sunday morning.
Secure your home while traveling
More homes will be empty during the holiday season as people travel to spend time with family, so the Ada County Sheriff’s Office urged people to take several steps to protect their empty homes, including:
- Ask a house sitter or neighbors to keep an eye on your home
- Invest in home security equipment
- Make arrangements for someone to pick up mail and packages
The Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incidents and asked anyone with information to email jjmeyer@adacounty.id.gov.
