St. Paul police warn residents about home invasions

12/26/2008

http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_11314560?nclick_check=1

St. Paul police are warning today about a series of home invasion robberies, where force has been used to steal jewelry.

[snip]

The assailants used a ruse to gain entry — such as needing to use the phone or the bathroom; in one case, the suspect asked about an in-home daycare, Panos said. It wasn't clear from a report whether children were present at the daycare, he said.

Inside the home, the suspects have used physical force or pointed a handgun at victims before stealing jewelry they're wearing, Panos said. People have been left with minor injuries, he said.

Don't let strangers in your home. It's just not worth it.

3 arrested after robbery

December 25, 2008

http://www.sctimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081225/NEWS01/112240050&s=d&page=1

Police were called to the residence at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday after a report that two men had entered the home without permission, threatened the people inside and hit a 20-year-old St. Cloud man with a handgun before taking property and leaving.

I hope these thugs enjoy Christmas in jail.

A Brush with a "Stranded Traveler"

December 20, 2008

http://www.twincities.com/ci_11291640

...
The incident happened about 1 a.m. Saturday in the first block of Nelson Street. A man knocked at the door and told the homeowner his car had broken down, he was cold and needed a phone to call his girlfriend to pick him up, a police report said.

"The homeowner reluctantly let him in the entryway," the report said. "He told him to stay at the door. The homeowner said he'd give him a ride."

When the homeowner went to get his keys, the man pulled out a gun and grabbed him.

The article does state that the police found no drugs in the home. I guess if you're victimized by robbers who are demanding drugs, you get the pleasure of having your place searched.

Regardless, be wary of late night callers.

Brothers report home invasion at Rochester apartment

12/22/2008

http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=376539

They said they were in their apartment at 2015 41 St. N.W. about 7:40 p.m. when a man came in yelling for their roommate, who was upstairs taking a shower. The brothers went to the door and saw the masked man had a silver handgun in his hand. Winters said they struggled with the suspect at the door, then the brothers fled outside

It's obviously not a random attack, but demonstrates an excellent reason to keep your doors locked.

Woman Sexually Assaulted By Neighbor

Dec 2, 2008

http://wcco.com/crime/bloomington.sexual.assault.2.881627.html

A woman trusted her neighbor's story that he was locked out and wanted to use the phone.

...
When she told him to stay outside, police say he forced his way in and assaulted her as she dialed 911.

Police Sgt. Mark Stehlick says the dispatcher heard a disturbance and sent police. By the time officer arrived the man had gone, but officers tracked him down and arrested him within hours.

The attack happened in the early morning hours Tuesday.
...

It sounds like she was bright enough to ask him to stay outside. Perhaps her spidey sense was atingle. Alas, if it was, it it was not enough.

Security in your Home - Part 2, Lighting

Our next layer is lighting. Lighting is our best “deterrent from a distance”. If a house looks well-lit, with an inconvenient lack of shadows and motion sensor lights by each of the entrances, it is more likely to be considered a poor target for intruders. Lighting comes in three essential stages, two of which do not come into play until the burglar is actually in your house, but we will address all the stages here.

Install motion activated floodlights by every entrance. If possible install the light above easy reach, to prevent an intruder from simply unscrewing the light bulb. If that’s not possible, try to find a light with a locking grate over the bulb opening. This will force an intruder to be visible while he tries to enter your home. It also makes it easier for you to get your keys into the lock when you come home at night. Be sure your exterior lights illuminate the "hidden" entry and/or ambush points, like rear doors and windows, walkways, shrubs and garage entries. Keep your bushes trimmed away from your house, to avoid giving an intruder a place to hide while he works. Don't make his job easy for him!

In addition, put a nightlight in the living room area, away from the safe room. This will effectively disable a burglar’s night vision. It will also silhouette the intruder if you come into the room. It has the added benefit of allowing you to see where you are going if you need to get up in the middle of the night. Emergency nightlights with light sensor and "no power" detection are the best choice. Consider putting some of your lights on timers, or installing a FakeTV, to simulate activity when you are not home. If it looks like you are home, burglars are less likely to attempt entry.

Finally, have a flashlight with batteries available at the bedside of everyone in the house to see in the dark. This will allow everyone the ability to see if there is a problem at night, whether it is an emergency or a simple power outage. A stout flashlight can also double as a self defense tool, if necessary. Check the batteries when you check your smoke alarms. LED or crank-powered flashlights last a long time, with very little maintenance