Two 'Hot Prowl' Burglaries in Two Days

Police are investigating two “hot prowl” residential burglaries that occurred within a day of each other.

In the first, a man told police he woke at 7 a.m. on Wednesday to find his front door open and a laptop, X-Box and media games missing.

A resident of an apartment in the 2200 block of Channing Way, the man said all was in place when he went to sleep at 12:45 a.m. the night before. After doing some exploration, he found a window open and believes the suspect got in that way then left through the front door.  A crime scene investigator surveyed the apartment.

The second incident occurred at about 7 a.m. the following day. As one resident showered and two others slept, an unidentified suspect walked through the unlocked front door of the home on the 2400 block of Blake Street, prowling the bedroom, dining room and living room and stealing laptops, cell phones and a wallet containing cash and credit cards. The suspect then left the way he or she entered.

Police did not say whether they believe the crimes are linked, but cautioned residents to lock doors and windows, especially at night or when no one is at home.

Weely police data shows suspects entered through open doors in five thefts last week.

"Small lifestyle changes could make a significant difference in crime rates and trends," said Berkeley police Sgt. Mary Kusmiss.