Thieves strike homes, apartments in Vernon

VERNON, Conn. (WTNH) -- Residents in Vernon are being urged to keep their doors and windows locked after a rash of home burglaries have been reported over the past few weeks.

Burglars hit four apartments at Park West Apartment Homes on Monday, sending shivers through the residents.

"That makes me kinda scared," said resident Meaghan Judd. "I don't like that."

Vernon police get daily reports of burglaries happening during the daytime in neighborhoods and apartment complexes all over town. In fact, Judd may have had a close call.

"I was watching TV on the couch when I heard someone open my back door, then close it and walk out," she said.

To help your neighbor, if you see anyone walking behind a house that doesn't live there, that is a sign something could be wrong. Police say burglars often go into the backyard because it's often screened by trees or shrubbery.

"Majority of the reports we get are something they saw yesterday," said Lt. William Meier. "We need people to call when they see suspicious behavior so we can immediately get police out to investigate."

Police remind residents to lock doors and windows, and if you've got a dead bolt, use it.
    
"I make sure my back door is locked and I also lock my front door and even the screen door so that I'm tripled protected," Judd said.

Police are hoping an alert resident will help them catch the busy thieves.