Posted 1:24 am Thursday, April 26, 2012
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Recent Rash Of Tyler Burglaries Investigated
By KENNETH DEAN
Staff Writer
Not even a clothes dryer is off limits to a pair of burglars targeting a Tyler neighborhood over the past month. The burglars have left a wake of victims and have residents worried about their security.
Don Martin, Tyler police spokesman, said there have been multiple burglaries in the areas from Loop 323 to Sixth Street and South Broadway Avenue to Troup Highway.
In most of the cases the suspects have gained entry into the homes by kicking in a side or rear door.
One woman, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation, said she was walking down the street on Monday in the 1100 block of Watkins Street when she heard two loud noises then saw two Hispanic men in their late teens or early 20s carrying a television and other items.
Staff Writer
Not even a clothes dryer is off limits to a pair of burglars targeting a Tyler neighborhood over the past month. The burglars have left a wake of victims and have residents worried about their security.
Don Martin, Tyler police spokesman, said there have been multiple burglaries in the areas from Loop 323 to Sixth Street and South Broadway Avenue to Troup Highway.
In most of the cases the suspects have gained entry into the homes by kicking in a side or rear door.
One woman, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation, said she was walking down the street on Monday in the 1100 block of Watkins Street when she heard two loud noises then saw two Hispanic men in their late teens or early 20s carrying a television and other items.
The two men dropped the items and ran, but she said she was able to get a look at their vehicle, which she said was an older model tan or gold minivan.
The woman said neighbors have reported seeing a couple of men taking pictures of houses, but Martin said he was not aware of any reports to indicate it was taking place.
Over the past month, burglars have stolen thousands of dollars in property including electronics, currency, jewelry, firearms and have damaged many homes by forcing their way into the home.
Martin said residents should keep their doors locked and mark all their property and write serial numbers down to assist in recovering items if stolen.
The woman said neighbors have reported seeing a couple of men taking pictures of houses, but Martin said he was not aware of any reports to indicate it was taking place.
Over the past month, burglars have stolen thousands of dollars in property including electronics, currency, jewelry, firearms and have damaged many homes by forcing their way into the home.
Martin said residents should keep their doors locked and mark all their property and write serial numbers down to assist in recovering items if stolen.
A victim, who is a single mother, said she went back to work after taking lunch, and when she got home at 5:45 that afternoon her home had been burglarized.
“There was an estate sale on my street that day so I’m sure they didn’t stand out if they drove off with a truckload of stuff,” she said.
The woman was astounded at the biggest item the burglars took — her clothes dryer.
“The jerks took my dryer. Even the police were surprised about that. The officer even asked if I was sure I had a dryer,” she said.
Martin said since Jan. 1 there have been 57 burglaries compared to 40 burglaries for the same time period last year.
“There was an estate sale on my street that day so I’m sure they didn’t stand out if they drove off with a truckload of stuff,” she said.
The woman was astounded at the biggest item the burglars took — her clothes dryer.
“The jerks took my dryer. Even the police were surprised about that. The officer even asked if I was sure I had a dryer,” she said.
Martin said since Jan. 1 there have been 57 burglaries compared to 40 burglaries for the same time period last year.
