Burglars hit 2 homes in Camarillo

A pair of same-day home burglaries earlier this month should remind residents to keep doors locked and garage doors closed to protect against burglars, police said.

According to police reports, a burglar broke into a home on the 100 block of Elm Drive on Feb. 6 sometime between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Police said there were no signs of forced entry. About $300 in property was taken, investigators said.

That same day, someone entered a home on the 900 block of North Greenlawn Avenue around 10 a.m. through a side garage door, and investigators said there was no sign of forced entry.

Nearly $15,000 in property was stolen in the second breakin, police said. Possible suspects were reportedly seen driving away in a silver 1990s model Pontiac Grand Prix.

Police said they do not know if the two crimes are related.

"We can buy the best locks in the world, but if we're not conscious about keeping our property secure, we're more susceptible to being victimized," Camarillo Police Department Senior Dep. Bob Maclean said.

Maclean said wouldbe burglars will typically knock on a door and ring the bell to see if the resident is home. If no one answers, they try to break into the home.

An advocate of Neighborhood Watch programs, Maclean said it's important for residents to work together to help report suspicious activity on their block as a way to protect their homes.

- Daniel Wolowicz