Elyria police investigate more than 30 break-ins in two weeks

ELYRIA, Ohio - Elyria police are investigating a rash of car and home break-ins throughout city neighborhoods.

There have been more than 30 burglaries during the last two weeks of September. The break-ins have taken place during all times of the day. In some incidents, two houses were entered on the same street.

Police said the thieves may be prowling the neighborhoods by car or on foot looking for houses with doors or windows open or left unlocked. Elyria Police Chief Duane Whitely said for many of the break-ins, there was no forced entry.

“With the number of homes where the doors are unlocked or open completely, sometimes people forget to shut their garage doors, it makes easy access for them to get in. They don’t make any noise because they’re not causing any damage and they can get in and out," Whitely said.

Whitely said several detectives are investigating the burglaries and are collecting as much evidence as they can to find the thieves. He said homeowners can help by taking some precautions of their own.

“Prevention is a big part of this. We can not have a lot of these happen simply by doing the basic steps of locking the doors, locking the windows, closing the curtains. At nighttime, when you’re in the house and the lights are on, anybody outside can see in and you can’t see out, so you want to close your curtains at night.”

Whitely will be at a Safety Summit this Saturday at the South Park Recreation Center. The summit will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and improving city safety will be discussed. Reservations are required and can made by calling 440-326-1402.