Full Notification

700 block of Malabar Dr. (19-0049)
Occurred between: 6:35pm and 7:50pm on 1/2/2019 
 
While the victims were out for the evening, 3 unknown suspects in dark clothing with their faces covered entered the property through a side gate. As they ran along the side of the house, they pulled down the surveillance cameras and motion lights. At the rear of the house, they smashed a guest bedroom window and entered the home. Once inside the house, they ransacked the office. Next, they made their way to the master bedroom where they ransacked the master closet. During the burglary, the suspect pried the doors off two of the victims' safes. The suspects fled in an unknown direction.  
 
Loss: Jewelry, US Currency.  
 
*Also to note, shortly after the victims left their home, a male Hispanic described as being 20-30 years old wearing a white hat, white jacket and jeans rang the doorbell camera at the front door. At this time, it is unclear if this individual is connected to the other suspects. However, this serves as a good reminder that burglars are looking for empty homes and will often check to see if you are home by knocking at the door.
When you get a knock at the door:

• Never open the door unless you know the person.
• Use your peephole to see who is there.
• When you go to the door, make sure to have a phone nearby.
• Acknowledge you are home without opening the door.
• Considering installing a doorbell camera that allows for 2-way audio. This can come in handy whether or not you are home when the doorbell rings.
• If an individual acts suspicously, call the police department and provide them with a description of the subject and explain why you think their behavior is suspicious.

• Always lock your windows and doors when you go out, even if for only a few minutes.
• If you return home and find your pedestrian door that leads into your home locked, and you are certain that you left it unlocked, DO NOT GO INSIDE! Call 9-1-1 ~ Burglars often lock this door to slow down a victim, allowing the burglar extra time to get out of the home before the resident enters.
• If your home is equipped with an alarm, always activate it even if you’re only going out for a short walk.
  • Consider adding a motion sensor in your master bedroom/bathroom, which will activate the alarm if someone comes in through a glass window or door without opening it.
• Always keep your front and rear porch lights on from dusk to dawn and use motion detector lighting along the sides of your home or areas with little foot traffic.
• Use timers on indoor lamps to give the appearance that you are home.
• Adjust window coverings for optimal privacy while maintaining good visibility outside.
• If your garage door has a remote shutoff button on the wall-mounted control, located in the garage, consider locking the door nightly. This will prevent your garage door from being opened remotely.
• If you have a safe, make sure that it is properly bolted to concrete so that it cannot be easily removed.
• Always close and lock your safe and never leave a key or combination out or in an easy to find location (i.e. office, nightstand, etc).
• When you leave on vacation, remember to call the Police Department for a “Vacation Check” at 949-644-3681. Also, ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your newspaper and mail while you are away.