JACKSON — A recent string of burglaries throughout Jackson has local law enforcement officials searching for leads and suspects.
According to police, between Nov. 17 and Nov. 24, 11 homes were broken into and the perpetrators got away with valuables they could easily carry out of the homes.
“It appears the burglars made a forced entry [into the home] and are targeting mostly jewelry and cash,” Jackson Police Department Detective Denis Campbell told the Tri-Town News.
Burglaries have occurred on Douglas Drive, South Boston Road, Willow Point Drive, Mount Olive Lane, Grant Lane, West Commodore Boulevard, Declaration Lane, Luxury Circle, Diamond Road, Susan Drive and Hampton Drive.
While the type of houses being targeted by the burglars appears to be random, houses with a long driveway that are surrounded by woods are potentially more susceptible.
“Most of the time, nobody sees anything,” Campbell said. “Some of the homes are off the road with wooded areas all around. In those cases, there aren’t neighbors [close by] as there would be in a densely populated neighborhood.”
To date, according to police, only a couple of residents have reported any details regarding the burglaries.
Officials said reports of a vehicle that may have been involved in the crimes is being investigated.
Campbell said other evidence related to the burglaries is being examined. He said police are not prepared to release details of that evidence yet.
“How can we have so many [burglaries] and we have very few witnesses? It’s because they are not necessarily parking in the driveway,” Campbell said. “They are parking on the street and walking a short distance to the house.”
Police said they are working with neighboring police departments to try to crossreference the Jackson burglaries with ones that occur in nearby towns. Inquiries to local pawn shops about recent transactions have also begun.
According to Campbell, the burglars are believed to be quick workers, having entered and robbed the homes while the residents were away, sometimes for less than an hour.
“[The victims] are all people who were at work and school and came home to find [they had been robbed]. They are daytime burglaries,” Campbell said. “Don’t make it convenient. Be prepared, and if you are going away for a long time, have a neighbor or the police check on your house.”
In Jackson, residents who are planning to be away from home for an extended time can fill out a patrol check request at police headquarters.
For now, police are asking residents who see or hear anything suspicious to report what they have observed or heard.
“Those are the kinds of leads that help us tremendously,” Campbell said. “Eventually, [the suspects will] make a mistake or somebody [will] see them.”
Anyone with information relating to the recent burglaries is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department at 732-928- 1111.