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The first was reported at 1:10 p.m. yesterday after a neighbor spotted a rear sliding door left ajar at a Cherry Street residence and alerted the homeowner, who called police, Capt. Michael deMoncada said.
Whoever was responsible “targeted several of the bedrooms and appeared to have taken an unknown amount of jewelry,” deMoncada said.
The next two break-ins happened right after one another on Mountain Road just after 10 o’clock last night.
If you see something, or know something, call: (201) 568-5100
The burglar or burglars “most likely gained entry by forcing open ground-level windows,” deMoncada said.
They headed straight to the bedrooms, ransacking drawers and closets, apparently in a search for jewelry, the captain added.
Detectives were trying to determine if both break-ins were linked to the Cherry Street burglary, he said.
“Unfortunately, we usually see burglaries tend to increase at this time of year,” deMoncada said. “It gets darker earlier in the evening, and most people don’t arrive home from work until after sunset. Homes are dark, the mail is in the mailbox, and the driveway is empty.
“These clues make it easy for burglars pick out unoccupied homes.”
He suggested that residents use timers for interior lights and remove newspapers and mail from mailboxes and the front of their homes regularly.
“If you know you’ll be away for an extended period of time, leave a car parked in the driveway where it is visible from the street and use a timer for your TV to give your home that ‘lived-in’ look,” the captain added. “Hold your mail and newspaper delivery, and always remember to set your alarm every time you leave the house.
“If the sound of the alarm doesn’t scare the burglar away, at least it will alert your neighbors and get police officers into the area within minutes, rather than hours later.”
Residents are also encouraged to look out for their neighbors “and report ANY type of suspicious activity to us as soon as you see it,” deMoncada said, adding that police would rather investigate a call that doesn’t pan out that not hear about one that costs someone property or puts them in danger.
If you have any information about the borough break-ins, the captain asked that you call Tenafly police: (201) 568-5100
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