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Published on 01/26/1998 All articles from this issue

Rash of burglaries hits Portola Avenue neighborhood

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By Joanne Griffith Domingue / Town Crier Staff Writer

Burglars have hit five homes in the north Los Altos area since Dec. 26 and the Los Altos police want to give residents a "heads up" to be on the alert.

Homes burgled include two on Chester Circle, one in the 300 block of West Portola Avenue, one in the 100 block of East Portola Avenue and one in the 200 block of Marich Way.

The burglaries have all been during the day. At one home, the residents left at 11 a.m., returned at 1 p.m., and the burglary happened while the residents were out, said Noreen Sorg, crime prevention officer with the Los Altos Police Department.

"It's very frightening," said Elizabeth Patton, a 40-year resident on East Portola Avenue. She has not been broken into but her friend was.

"We used to think everything was fine and safe," said her friend, speaking on the condition that her name would not be used. "But we have lost that innocence."

Her house was broken into on a Sunday afternoon. "We found everything lying around in the living room. They must have looked for cash. The worst part, someone got into your personal belongings."

Sorg said that "what's important here is that the burglars are getting through an open gate into the back yard. Then they're prying - with a screwdriver - sliding glass doors or windows."

Sorg said she has been out to all the homes but one and done "security surveys."

The residents have gates that are latched but unlocked. She recommends putting a padlock on the gate.

"Sometimes (intruders) won't bother to go over the fence and will go someplace else."

The burglars have been stealing cash, jewelry, and at one house, took some bedding.

Jeanie Ford, a 20-year resident of Marich Way where one of the burglaries occurred, said she hasn't seen or noticed anything unusual. But, "absolutely," folks who keep an eye out are the best neighborhood crime deterrent.

"Don't think because it's daylight that nothing will happen," said a resident whose home was broken into. And "double check everything before you leave. Make it as difficult as possible" for anyone to get in.

"We really need the help of the citizens," Sorg said. If anyone sees anything suspicious, call the Los Altos Police Department, 948-8223.