BEVERLY HILLS, Mich. – Police in Beverly Hills are putting out an email to homeowners there to be careful in these days leading up to Christmas.
There have been four burglaries or attempted burglaries in the quiet Oakland, County area in recent weeks.
In fact, police believe it may be the same crew targeting a specifc one square mile neighborhood.:
The area bounded by 13 and 14 Mile Roads, between Southfieldand GreenfieldRoads.
Last Friday a homeowner in the 17000 of Kinross watched as a black male tried to get into her home's back door but it was locked.
The homeowner reportedly confronted the man, and he and a white male took off running to a silver van, waiting nearby.
The next day, another homeowner on Lauderdale near Pierce came home to find a broken back bedroom window, and electronics and clothing taken from the home.
Police believe the same men in the same silver van are responsible.
Local 4 spoke with Kevin Halloran out walking his dogs this morning. He's not too concerned about the burglaries because it seems the burglars aren't having much success.
Someone tried to break in to his neighbor's home, but the security alarm scared the thief away.
Halloran says police came out with a K-9, but didn't track the person down.
Neighbors say they look out for each other, especially this time of year when people are at work and others could come to steal packages left on porches.
Beverly Hills Police say they're stepping up patrols in the area.
The department's email to homeowners is below.
On Friday, December 16th at about 1:45 p.m., a resident in the 17000 block of Kinross near Southfield Road reported that he observed a suspect (B/M, late teens, wearing a blue hoodie) attempting to open the rear door of his home by turning the locked door knob. When the resident stepped outside and verbally confronted the individual, the suspect ran from the yard into a neighbor's yard then into the street where he entered a waiting vehicle. Another neighbor reported that a second suspect (W/M also ran to the waiting vehicle which was then driven west on Kinross to Southfield Roadby a third individual. The vehicle was described as an older model minivan, possibly Chrysler model, silver in color, with a low hanging exhaust pipe. Although no overt attempt was made to force entry to the home, it could be presumed by the suspects' actions in running away through an adjacent yard that forced entry was the ultimate goal if not scared off. On December 17th, at about 1:00 p.m. a resident in the 16000 block of Lauderdale near Pierce reported that upon returning home after being away overnight, she discovered her home had been broken into between 6:30 p.m. on December 16th and her return on the 17th. Entry had been gained by breaking a bedroom window on the rear of the home; taken were clothing and electronics. These are the third and fourth incidents of either attempted or completed residential B&E's within the past 30 days, all in the square mile bounded by 13 and 14 Mile Roads, between Southfield and Greenfield Roads. The silver van has only been described in one of the cases, but given the tight time frame and geography, it could be considered connected to the other cases. All residents should be aware of and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods, especially those in this square mile. Road patrols are targeting extra attention in these areas. Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to contact the Beverly Hills Detective Bureau at 248-540-3403. Offered by the Beverly Hills Department of Public Safety . . . . . . your provider of Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services Reach us at (248) 540-3400.