TOLEDO, OH (Toledo News Now) - Thieves are taking advantage of the warm weather by canvassing neighborhoods looking for garages to break into. Police say it's something that happens often around this time of year.
In the last week there have been three reported garage break-ins. One occurred in the Old West End and two others in Willys Parkway and south Toledo. These thieves can steal lawn equipment worth hundreds of dollars. Police say most of the time the equipment is sold for drug money.
Police encourage residents to keep garages securely locked.
"What you need to do is make sure you have good doors, good locks, good door jams, lighting. Make sure that the valuables are well secured, the windows in the garage's are covered up so people can't see what's in them and just take some other basic crime prevention measures," said Sergeant Joe Heffernan, Toledo Police.
Safety measures include getting to know your neighbors and watching over each other's properties. Also take care of your lawn so your house does not look vacant.
"Even if we just get a chance to talk to these people and let them know that we are in the neighborhood too, we're watching you, we know who you are, if a crime like this happens it gives us a lead to go on," said Heffernan.
If you see someone lurking around the neighborhood, call 911 immediately.
