Thieves targeting upscale homes

Delray Beach police say there’s a trend of dinnertime burglaries

DELRAY BEACH – It’s a trend, say Delray Beach police.

Burglars have been breaking into homes in upscale communities around dinnertime while the residents are away.

There were three break-ins this month and in late September where the burglars targeted homes in the Seagate Country Club gated community by smashing windows or glass doors, police said.

The neighborhood is west of Interstate 95 and south of West Atlantic Avenue.

“Every neighborhood, gated or not gated, they all have their issues and problems,” Delray Beach Sgt. Jeff Caldwell said.

The thieves seem to prefer jewelry and purses but in some cases they searched through drawers and stole nothing. There may have been other burglaries in Delray Beach that have not been reported yet because the residents were out of town during the summer, investigators said.

It’s also possible that homes in neighboring cities have been hit, they added.

Security cameras inside one of the homes recorded two burglars wearing hoodie sweatshirts with masks and baseball caps. Police are circulating the pictures with the hope someone may recognize the suspects and report them.

Delray Beach police are recommending residents keep an eye on neighbors’ homes and report any suspicious activity. People can also sign up online for the police department’s Vacation Watch program to request extra police patrols while away for an extended period.

“If the officer has time during that patrol, he or she will get out, walk around the house to make sure everything is OK,” police department spokeswoman Dani Moschella said.

Investigators are asking anyone with information about these burglaries to contact Detective Chris Trapasso at 561-243-7868. Anonymous tips can be given at 800-458-8477 or crimestopperspbc.com.