No arrests have been made as police continue to investigate a series of house breaks in the Edgewood neighborhood over the Thanksgiving weekend, but Police Chief Col. Michael J. Winquist said that detectives “are making progress.”
Four homes were broken into, and police have said that based on the manner of entry and evidence collected so far, it appears that the crimes may have been committed by the same individual or individuals.
According to a Nov. 29 press release from police, the break-ins occurred at one house on Malvern Avenue, two on Alhambra Circle and one on Broad Street.
Police did not disclose the addresses of the individual residences but have said that based on the manner of entry and evidence collected, it appears that the four crimes may have been committed by the same individual or individuals.
In the first incident on Malvern Avenue, the homeowner arrived home around 9:30 PM Thanksgiving night to find a man inside. The suspect pointed a handgun at the homeowner. The weapon is believed to have been stolen from the residence. The suspect then jumped out a window and fled on foot. Cash and other items were reported missing.
The suspect was described as a dark-skinned male wearing a gray camouflage sweatshirt and a hat, with hair protruding from beneath the sides of the hat. Patrol officers and a K-9 team responded immediately but were unable to locate the suspect. The suspect gained entry by smashing a basement window and ate food from the kitchen, police said.
A few hours later, at about 2:50 AM on Friday, Nov. 29, a homeowner on Alhambra Circle reported waking up to find a man inside his residence, police stated. The occupants chased the intruder out of the house, and no items were taken. Police said that the suspect likely gained entry by breaking a rear window and may have injured himself, as blood was found in that area.
Later that day, residents of another home on Alhambra Circle, reported that their residence and a detached garage had been broken into earlier in the day. They discovered that a power tool had been stolen from the garage, and a debit card, clothing, and a cell phone were missing from inside the residence.
Police said they also received a report of a break-in from homeowners on Broad Street within the same 24 to 48 hours. It is currently unknown if any items were taken from that residence, although blood was found on a screen door, and it appears the suspect also consumed food from their kitchen.
Since the break-ins, police have increased patrols in the area and urged the public to secure all doors and windows and report any suspicious activity by calling 911. The public is cautioned not to approach any one they may think is a suspect as he is presumed to be armed.