Home security video caught a group of would-be thieves looking into vehicles in a Richfield neighborhood in predawn hours last weekend, prompting police to warn residents to keep doors locked and not leave valuables inside.
The Dec. 28 video with a timestamp of 6:46 a.m. shows at least five people with flashlights getting out of a car, running up to vehicles parked in driveways and on the street, and peering inside.
“They’re hoping to find doors unlocked, but if valuables are seen within, they don’t hesitate to ‘smash & grab,’” Richfield police said in a Facebook posting where the video appears.
At one house, a security light attached to a garage comes on, but it doesn’t seem to deter them.
“These thieves travel in groups of four or five (likely in a stolen vehicle) checking for valuables,” police said. “Lock your doors.”
Police also are telling people to take laptops, purses, briefcases, cash, sunglasses, cellphones and gym bags with them.
“All are tempting to a thief,” police said.
Drivers should also not leave garage door openers in their vehicles as thieves can use them to gain access to garages and possibly homes, police said.
