This was originally posted as a comment to our past post, but we believe it needed a post of its own. Thank you to neighbor Christie Cripps for this information, and we are really glad that no one got hurt. This incident happened on Silver Springs Drive:
“I had reported to police that at approximately 10:15am this morning [December 17, 2012], I checked to see what my dog was alerting me to at my front door. A black male was retreating back from my front door to his dark colored Chevy Malibu (possibly a deep purple) parked with driver door open in front of my front door. A black male passenger was with him both approximately in their late 20s and tall. They proceeded to make a right onto Keagan Falls Dr., make the loop and turned right to exit the neighborhood to CR 101. They made a left on CR 101. I had opened my door while they were on Keagan Falls Dr to see if a business card was left in my door. No business card….never rang the doorbell…too early to be stealing a Fed Ex delivery. I watched and noticed they had no front plates and the driver side front hub cap was missing. That is when I contacted police.”
Ms. Cripps says that she would have usually been at the gym at this time, but didn’t go that day. It is our suspicion that the thieves had been watching the Cripps’ house routine in order to plan a break-in when no one was home.
Tis the season…for crime, unfortunately. Criminals are guessing that homeowners have gifts ready-made for stealing in their houses. Pay attention when your dogs bark! Investigate a strange noise you hear next door! Call the Sheriff’s Department (281-331-9000) if you see ANYTHING suspicious! We are SICK and TIRED of our beautiful neighborhood being the target of these thieves, most likely just passing through to steal whatever they can to exchange for drugs.
We are re-posting the tips that Capt. Foreman of the Sheriff’s Department shared with us during the annual meeting to keep our homes safer and less of a target for criminals. If you’d like the read the whole post, it is here.
- Install cameras (real or fake) at the front and rear entrances of our homes – Captain Foreman reports that these “dope fiend” break-ins almost never occur at homes with cameras;
- Report ANY suspicious activity to the police or Sheriff’s Department’s non-emergency number at 281-331-9000, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem – this has saved several homes and homeowners from break-ins and injury and the caller can elect to remain anonymous;
- If you are home during the day, make sure that any person that comes to the front door knows that you are present – this can be achieved by making noise, leaving on a radio or television, turning on and off lights and yelling to the “visitor” to go away;
- Vary your daily routine as much as possible;
- Leave your porch and some inside lights on during the night;
- Keep vehicles in the driveway locked – though this doesn’t necessarily prevent tire and rim theft; and
- Keep garage doors closed and secure all entrances to your home.
Be extra vigilant, neighbors. It looks like none of these thieves want to hurt anyone as far as with weapons, but having your home broken in to is a violation that is tough to get through. If anyone in Silvercreek has had a break-in at their home and is having trouble dealing with it, please contact Stacey Glaesmann, LPC and she will see you in her counseling office for free.
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