Rash of robberies in Branford

Branford (WTNH) - Police in Branford are investigating five burglaries that happened this past weekend. 

It happened right around the same area last year. 

"The gentleman was out on home release program and kicked in our front steel door and he had a hood on and everything," said Branford-resident Maria Demetriades.

But he apparently didn't realize, Demetriades's husband was in the house; he surprised the burglar.

"He actually did a pivot in our foyer and ran out the front door," Demetriades said.

Nothing was stolen except Demetriades' peace of mind. Now, there are alarm signs posted prominently around their home on Hickory Hill Road in Branford.

"I have lights that automatically go on, I have whistles that open on doors or windows if people should enter," Demetriades said. "I have remote panic alarms by our beds."

The recent rash of burglaries has brought it all back for her. There had been three other burglaries on the street at the same time she was hit. Now, five more starting last Friday. Police are now trying to make themselves very visible here.

"This is significant enough to the Chief that he's assigned extra patrols up into the Mill Plain Road area," said Lt. Geoffrey Morgan of the Branford Police Department.

Lt. Morgan is now going door to door reassuring residents they're on the job. But he said they need the eyes and ears of the public as well.

"We need citizens to report something if they see something suspicious, they need to report it immediately," said Lt. Morgan.

It's something Demetriades said she will certainly do. In fact, she's now having cameras installed all around her home.

"It's just very unnerving, you know, especially a couple of my other neighbors around here, also been targeted and it's just not safe," she said.