Residential Burglaries on the Rise in Issaquah

The City of Issaquah said in a press release it has recently experienced a substantial increase in residential burglaries. 

Many residential burglaries occur during the day and start by individuals knocking on the front door, according to the release. If nobody answers, they will go to the side or back of the house and gain entry through unlocked doors or windows, and in some cases, shatter them. During the summer, homeowners are more likely to leave their windows and doors unlocked, leaving homes more vulnerable to burglary. 

Here are two examples of recent incidents from Issaquah Police reports:

• Over the past weekend, a residential burglary occurred where two neighborssaw  the suspect break into a house and leave carrying some items. They did not call the police because they did not know what to do.

• In another recent incident, a witness saw a woman standing in the backyard of a neighbor’s residence. When questioned, the woman said she was looking for an estate sale. The witness called police after the unknown woman left the area. It was later determined that a nearby home had been burglarized. 

The has increased patrols in residential neighborhoods, but it asks for residents' continued help. Police encourage residents to be extra vigilant and notify the Police Department at 425-837-3200 (911 in an emergency) if they observe suspicious people or vehicles. The police department says it would prefer to respond to a suspicious person call than investigate a crime the next day. It is important for homeowners to take steps to protect and help prevent their home, or their neighbors’ homes, from falling victim to a burglary. 

Crime Prevention Tips from the Issaquah Police Department:

• If you see someone suspicious in your neighborhood, call the police. 
• Attempt to get a good description of the suspicious person, direction of travel and any associated vehicles (including license plates).

• Tell neighbors you trust if you plan to be away or expect any deliveries.

• If you do not know the person knocking on your door, talk to them through the closed door so that they know someone is home.

If your home is burglarized, do not touch any disturbed areas in case fingerprints can be obtained, and contact the Issaquah Police Department. If you suspect the burglar is still inside your home, call 911.