Arrests made in connection with West Racine burglaries

By Marci Laehr Tenuta
Journal Times

Friday, September 12, 2008 11:37 PM CDT

RACINE — Following a dramatic increase of residential break-ins in July and August, Racine police have arrested 14 people on burglary or attempted burglary charges.

The department took five adults and nine juveniles into custody between July 2 and Sept. 12, according to a press release issued Friday.

The adults that have been formally charged include: Steven Jenkins, 19; Mark A. King, 18; Darnell W. Collins, 44; Isiah D. Thompson, 17; and Sean Duggan, 20.

Some of the alleged burglars are accused of breaking into homes on the north side of the city, while others were charged with break-ins in the West Racine area, where police had seen a sharp increase in burglary reports.

In late August, police had taken 33 reports of burglaries or attempted burglaries in the West Racine area, roughly bounded by Spring Street to the north, 16th Street to the south, West Boulevard to the east and Highway 31 to the west.

Thousands of dollars worth of tools, lawn equipment, jewelry, firearms, bicycles and computers were taken. In some cases, purses containing wallets, cash, credit cards and check books were stolen right off kitchen tables.

The offenders gained entry into homes through unsecured windows on the first floor — often back bedroom and kitchen windows that cannot be seen from the street — and basement windows, police said.

Racine police said that, due to a series of similar incidents in Caledonia, Mount Pleasant, Wind Point and other adjoining communities, a countywide law enforcement effort to combat burglary is under way.

“Additional arrests are anticipated as a number of investigations remain active at this time,” said the press release.

While the Police Department hopes the recent arrests will reduce burglaries in the future, they are asking area residents to remain cautious and on the alert for suspicious activity.

To reduce the opportunity for future victimization, citizens are encouraged to take the following precautions:

n Immediately report suspicious persons, circumstances or activity to authorities.

n Avoid leaving windows unlocked or open as screen panels are easily defeated.

n When possible, close window treatments to conceal potential targets, such as plasma-screen TVs.

n During hours of darkness, use exterior lighting; motion detectors where possible.

n Use deadbolt security locks where possible.

n Maintain contact with neighbors to form Neighborhood Watch networks.

By Marci Laehr Tenuta

Journal Times

RACINE — Following a dramatic increase of residential break-ins in July and August, Racine police have arrested 14 people on burglary or attempted burglary charges.

The department took five adults and nine juveniles into custody between July 2 and Sept. 12, according to a press release issued Friday.

The adults that have been formally charged include: Steven Jenkins, 19; Mark A. King, 18; Darnell W. Collins, 44; Isiah D. Thompson, 17; and Sean Duggan, 20.

Some of the alleged burglars are accused of breaking into homes on the north side of the city, while others were charged with break-ins in the West Racine area, where police had seen a sharp increase in burglary reports.

In late August, police had taken 33 reports of burglaries or attempted burglaries in the West Racine area, roughly bounded by Spring Street to the north, 16th Street to the south, West Boulevard to the east and Highway 31 to the west.

Thousands of dollars worth of tools, lawn equipment, jewelry, firearms, bicycles and computers were taken. In some cases, purses containing wallets, cash, credit cards and check books were stolen right off kitchen tables.

The offenders gained entry into homes through unsecured windows on the first floor — often back bedroom and kitchen windows that cannot be seen from the street — and basement windows, police said.

Racine police said that, due to a series of similar incidents in Caledonia, Mount Pleasant, Wind Point and other adjoining communities, a countywide law enforcement effort to combat burglary is under way.

“Additional arrests are anticipated as a number of investigations remain active at this time,” said the press release.

While the Police Department hopes the recent arrests will reduce burglaries in the future, they are asking area residents to remain cautious and on the alert for suspicious activity.

To reduce the opportunity for future victimization, citizens are encouraged to take the following precautions:

n Immediately report suspicious persons, circumstances or activity to authorities.

n Avoid leaving windows unlocked or open as screen panels are easily defeated.

n When possible, close window treatments to conceal potential targets, such as plasma-screen TVs.

n During hours of darkness, use exterior lighting; motion detectors where possible.

n Use deadbolt security locks where possible.

n Maintain contact with neighbors to form Neighborhood Watch networks.

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