PORT ANGELES — The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office is investigating several recent burglaries east of Port Angeles.
A suspect or suspects has been entering occupied homes through unlocked windows between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. and taking purses, according to a neighborhood watch alert.
Chief Criminal Deputy Brian King said there have been a “handful” of reported burglaries and vehicle prowls off Leighland Avenue, Hickory Street, North Larch Avenue and Mount Pleasant Road in the past two weeks.
“We had a handful, and it’s in a close period of time,” King said Friday.
“So anytime you have that, we’re suspecting that there is an individual and/or individuals that are responsible for that. They’re not just random.”
“We’re following up on some leads,” King added.
“We’re looking at surveillance footage and different things like that to narrow down a suspect or suspect, but we’re not there yet.”
In one reported vehicle prowl, the doors were left unlocked and the owner had left her purse in the back seat. The purse contained keys, debit or credit cards and numerous other valuables, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
‘Target-harden’
The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public to lock doors and windows and to keep valuables out of sight.
“Target-harden your homes and your vehicle,” King said.
“Make sure your doors are locked, that you’re not leaving valuables in your cars, that you’re not giving folks an easy opportunity to victimize you. That is really what we repeatedly see.
“We don’t see a lot of forced-entry burglaries and thefts,” King added.
“They happen, but far more often, we see these criminals, these suspects, looking for opportunities.”
Anyone who sees suspicious activity is asked to phone the Sheriff’s Office at 360-417-2459 or dial 9-1-1.
For crime prevention tips, click on the “Neighborhood Watch” link under “Community Policing” at the Sheriff’s Office website, www.clallam.net/Sheriff.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56450, or at rollikainen@peninsula dailynews.com.