Lynn Police warn of summer break-in risks

LYNN – Police are warning residents about the risk of summer burglaries because more residents are either out of the city or working outside their homes, Police Lt. Christopher Kelly said Wednesday.To decrease the risk, Kelly said residents should avoid the tell-tale signs criminals look for by placing lights on a timer or having a neighbor turn lights on to make it look like someone is home.Having mail and newspaper delivery stopped also gives the impression the resident is home, he said in a press release.Kelly urged residents to check that exterior and interior basements doors and windows, garage doors and doors leading into the garage are all secure before leaving the house, and even get neighbors to keep an eye out while they?re away.There have been 218 reports of residential burglaries in Lynn since Jan. 1, an increase of 6 percent for the year, according to a Lynn Police Department crime report. Forty-one house break-ins were reported in May, and 45 were reported in April, the report said.Lynn Police arrested a man on June 19 after a neighbor reported seeing him breaking the basement window of a Boston Street home in the middle of the day and then fleeing with a yellow pillowcase.Officers recovered two Toshiba computers and jewelry from inside the pillowcase after the man, Edgard Molina-Dejesus, 38, of Lynn, had allegedly stolen from the home, according to a Lynn Police report.?The plastic tabs on modern vinyl windows are a safety device and not a security measure,” Kelly said. “Many burglars have gained access to unoccupied homes through windows that were left slightly open using these tabs.”Even an overgrown lawn can alert burglars that a home is being left unattended, Kelly said.And while it may seem obvious, Kelly reminded residents never to leave valuables that can be easily carried away near or within view of an open window or door.?There have been situations where burglars reached through open windows and have stolen such belongings,” he said. “Items such as wallets, credit cards, iPods and car keys can be quickly taken.”The department encourages residents to notify them of the dates they?ll be away, and how to contact them in case of an emergency.?This will allow (us) to pay particular attention to activity that normally would not raise suspicion,” he said.Notifications can be made by email at [email protected] or by phone at 781-595-2000.Taylor Provost can be reached at [email protected].