Winsted folks scared of "Ghost" burglar

WINSTED, Conn. (WTNH) --There has been a series of burglaries in Winsted, and still no arrest. Folks in the area are scared of what they are calling the "Ghost" burglar.

The burglaries have taken place during the span of a couple of weeks on Wallens Hill Road in Winsted.

Police want the burglar caught. In one instance, the burglar went into a woman's house. Inside the home were two dogs. The dogs didn't bark, and the burglar got away with some of the woman's items.

In another case, the burglar went into a man's house while he was sleeping on the couch, his pants were draped over one of his arms.  The burglar took the wallet out of the man's pants, took the cash, left the wallet in the garage, took more cash from the cars, and then disappeared.

Mike Shay of Winsted said he he always felt safe enough to keep his doors and windows unlocked.

"I very seldom, she used to comment to me, did you lock the door?  I said, no I don't lock the door, I didn't even think about it," said Shay.

The "Ghost" burglar has invaded at least 14 Winsted homes while people were asleep. Shay's son's car was burglarized. Their neighbor's home was also burglarized.

"I opened the door and noticed the console was wide open, someone had gone through his vehicle,' said Chief Robert Scannell of Winchester.

Winchester Police have stepped up patrols, and the Chief is giving obvious, but necessary advice. He wants folks to lock their doors and windows.

I'm sure he's confident, he leaving undetected, he entering and leaving undetected," said Scannell.

Sometimes a quiet neighborhood can be a disadvantage, because those who live in it are less likely to expect a burglary.

Police urge folks to protect themselves and their homes by making sure it is well lit, locking all doors and windows, taking all mail out of the mailbox, and keep boxes that contain expensive items in the house until garbage day.