Police: Brazen Burglars Breaking Into Maple Grove Homes With Residents Inside

Maple Grove police are asking residents to be take extra safety precautions in the wake of a string of brazen burglaries reported in neighborhoods along County Road 30.

"Please ensure you are locking vehicles in the driveway, bringing your garage door openers inside, and remaining vigilant," said an alert on the department's Facebook page. "Call 911 immediately if you see any suspicious behavior or have any information about who the perpetrator(s) may be."

Police are calling the burglaries, "crimes of opportunity," according to a Channel 12 report. Thieves are prowling for open car doors and then entering residences using the garage door openers, sometimes while residents are inside.

"Over the last 13 days we've had seven burglaries that have occurred to occupied residences," Maple Grove Police Captain Dan Wills told Channel 12 late last week.

Similar break-ins have been reported in New Hope.

Accompanying photo courtesy of Flickr.