South Lake Minnetonka Police Issue Crime Alert Following String of Burglaries

The South Lake Minnetonka Police Department has taken reports from several Tonka Bay residents concerning garage burglaries and theft from vehicles. The incidents are reportedly occurring overnight, and in each case, the suspect(s) are entering the garages and vehicles through unlocked doors. Some of these incidents are occurring in the following neighborhoods:

1. Mound Avenue
2. Sunrise Avenue
3. Waseca Avenue
4. Crestview Avenue

If you have any information regarding these incidents, or you believe you know who the suspect is, please contact the SLMPD through Hennepin County Dispatch at (763) 525-6210.

Prevention Reminders:

• Close and lock exterior doors and lower level windows before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Keep garage doors closed and locked when not in use, even during the day or if you are working in your backyard.
• Encourage neighbors to remain alert and immediately report suspicious activity by calling 911.
• Keep your valuables in an unlikely place (the bedroom is often the first place a burglar will look).
• Document your valuables by recording serial and model numbers. Take pictures of items such as jewelry and artwork.
• Use quality, heavy duty deadbolt locks with at least a one-inch bolt; align with a heavy duty strike plate and secured with three-inch screws.
• Secure sliding glass doors.
• Create the illusion that you are home by using timers on lights. Have someone collect your mail and newspapers if you are not home.
• Whether parked inside the garage or in the driveway, keep vehicles locked. Do not leave valuable items inside your vehicles. Items most commonly stolen include: purses/wallets, GPS units and laptop computers.

The SLMPD urges you to take some basic precautions to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a burglary or theft.

Always lock your doors, even while you are home. Service doors into garages as well as doors between attached garages and the interior of the house are often overlooked by homeowners and left unsecured. Overhead garage doors should be kept closed, whether or not you are home.

Leave a few exterior light on after dark. Consider installing motion detector lights. They are very effective and relatively inexpensive.

Before leaving for vacation, contact the SLMPD at (952) 474-3261 and ask to be placed on the vacation house check list. Officers will check the exterior of your home periodically and randomly during your absence. Put mail and newspaper deliveries on hold before leaving. Mail delivery can be placed on hold via the Internet at www.usps.com. Click on “hold mail” and you’ll be taken to a secure site for entering your information. You can also pick up a “hold mail” card at any post office branch.

Lock your vehicles, even in your driveway or inside your garage. Do not leave valuables inside your vehicle.

Get to know your neighbors. Residents who know each other, keep an ey on each others’ homes and report suspicious activity to police are great deterrents.

If you observe suspicious activity in your neighborhood, report it to the SLMPD immediately by calling 911.