A note from the police regarding recent burglaries in Dunwoody North

On June 25, 2019 at approximately 10:12AM, the pictured vehicle was involved in a residential burglary that occurred on Brookhurst Drive in Dunwoody.

I’ve also included a YouTube link of the vehicle here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GReR7-3f-CE 

If you have any information regarding this vehicle or suspects, please contact Det. Maldonado at 678-382-6914 or jesus.maldonado@dunwoodyga.gov or submit an ANONYMOUS TIP at http://bit.ly/DPD_Submit_a_Tip 

Over the past week, officers have responded to burglaries in the Dunwoody North area.

Our detectives are currently investigating these reports and patrol officers have been directed to increase patrols in that area and throughout Dunwoody. I wanted to leave some burglary prevention tips with you all to share with the residents in your communities. 

The MOST important thing you can do is call the police to report a crime or any suspicious activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. The SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING campaign really does work!

Here are some important tips to help prevent burglaries:

Light up your residence, lock your doors at all times, and call the Police when you see something suspicious.

  • Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
  • Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.
  • Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
  • Keep your garage door closed and locked.
  • Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
  • Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
  • Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
  • Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
  • Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.

 

Don’t Tempt a Thief:

  • Lawn mowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight
  • Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
  • Use curtains on garage and basement windows.
  • Never leave notes on your door such as “Gone shopping.”

 

Locks…Get the Best:

  • No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.
  • Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.
  • When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.

 

Targeting the Outside:

  • Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.
  • Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
  • Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

 

Alarms / Home Surveillance Systems:

  • An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.
  • Home surveillance systems are worth the investment. With a lot of these devices, you can monitor your home on your smartphone and report criminal activity as it is occurring.
  • Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.
  • If you have a home alarm or surveillance system, use it! Alarm systems and surveillance systems are only useful when you remember to activate them.
  • Many individuals have alarm and camera systems but do not arm them because it is inconvenient. Many burglars know this and will not be deterred by a window sticker or sign indicating that the home has an alarm system.

 

If Your Home Is Broken Into:

If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:

  • Do not enter – the perpetrator may still be inside.
  • Call 911 from a safe place.
  • Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
  • Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
  • Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.

 

Other precautions you should take:

  • Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other “secret” hiding places — burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
  • Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home — this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
  • Trim your shrubbery around your home to reduce cover for burglars.
  • Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1 immediately.
  • Mark your valuables with your driver’s license number with an engraver you can borrow from your precinct. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.
  • Consider installing a burglar alarm system.
  • Form a Neighborhood Watch Group. Dunwoody Police can help you set one up and work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.

 

Entering Autos (Car Break-Ins)

We always want to remind our residents about the LOCK, TAKE, HIDE campaign. LOCK your doors, TAKE your keys, HIDE your belongings.

  • Do not leave valuables in plain view: (GPS devices, laptops, PDA’s, cell phones, MP3’s, wallets, purses, guns)
  • Do not leave windows or sunroof open.
  • Do not leave doors unlocked.
  • Do not leave keys in the vehicle.
  • Do not leave the garage door opener in plain view.
  • Do not leave out items with personal information.
  • Do not move valuable items to the trunk while in public view.
  • Slow Down and use common sense before you leave your car.

If you have any questions or to schedule a Neighborhood Watch Meeting at your community, please email me at anwar.sillah@dunwoodyga.gov.

Stay safe!

Officer Anwar Sillah

Community Outreach  

Dunwoody Police Department