Issaquah Police and Sammamish Police Departments are informing residents about recent burglaries in the surrounding area, similar to those reported in Bellevue and Redmond communities.
In these cases, burglars are potentially targeting homes of affluent Asian, East Indian and possibly Middle Eastern residents. It’s unclear why the burglars are choosing these homes beyond looking for wealth, though some residential burglary suspects across the country have been known to target those groups because of a belief that they are more likely to keep expensive jewelry in their homes.
The suspects may be casing the homes and breaking into the residence while the homeowners are away for a short period of time, particularly on the weekends. Entry into the residence is made by smashing windows or patio doors. There is not any particular neighborhood that is being targeted. While these burglaries are on the rise, residential burglaries are, for the most part, crimes of opportunity.
If you or anyone you know has any information, please contact your local law enforcement agency. Issaquah residents can call the the non-emergency line at 425-837-3200.
Tips
The more you can do to keep your home from looking like an easy target, the safer you are. Here are a few tips:
Bright Ideas
- Install lights by all exterior doors and use lights at night
- Illuminate house numbers for quick emergency services response
- Trim shrubs back from doors and windows
Vehicle Smarts
- Be sure to close your garage door
- Keep your garage door opener hidden from view if kept in a car
Doors and Windows
- Always lock your doors and windows
- Ensure screws in door strike plate are at minimum 2-3” in length
- Consider adding shatter-resistant film to glass sliders to slow down someone trying to break in
- Use solid core or metal exterior doors
- Use dead bolt door locks on exterior doors
- Add auxiliary track-type locks, removable drop bars
- Use wooden dowels, or pinning devices to windows and sliding glass doors
- Install peepholes on doors with 160 degree views
Landscaping
- Use motion sensors and photocells on exterior floodlights
- Prune shrubs to under 3 feet from ground
Personal Information
- Make sure your street address is clearly visible from street
- Use a locking mailbox
- Keep valuables in a safe deposit box
Dealing with Strangers
- Never let strangers into your home
- Verify workers by ID cards
- Never give keys to workers
- Never leave notes for anyone on your door
While On Vacation
- Hire a house sitter
- Ask friend/neighbor to help with trash bins, newspapers and mail
- Install a monitored residential alarm system and have them contact police directly for a faster response
- Park a car in your driveway (with no valuables left in car)
- Use timers on indoor lights to give impression you are home
- Ask neighbors to keep an eye on house