BRIDGEPORT — Since the beginning of October, there has been a rash of burglaries in the neighborhood.
In Beats 913 and 915 — which encompass Bridgeport — there were 20 of them, according to David Matual, a Deering District detective who debriefed a roomful of local folks on the crimes at a recent CAPS meeting.
Though he couldn't reveal too much about his investigations, Matual shared some details of the burglaries and ways citizens can help detectives do their jobs tracking down criminals.
Of the 20 burglaries — nine in Beat 913 and 11 in Beat 915 — seven targeted garages. Five of the burglaries were classified as a “unlawful entries." That means detectives could not find any signs of forced entry — like broken glass or pry marks from a crowbar.
Matual said citizens can prepare for the worst by keeping track of serial numbers, logging valuable items like jewelers and coins — and even keeping an album filled with photos of property.
Armed with serial numbers and photos, detectives have a better chance of identifying stolen items at pawn shops, where criminals often unload pilfered goods.
Matual asked residents to report suspicious-looking people and vehicles — just in case they’re up to no good.
“Be that nosy neighbor,” Matual said. “Be conscious of your surroundings.”
The detective shared an anecdote from his own block, where he once saw a man walk out of a neighbor’s front door carrying a suitcase.
“It didn’t look good,” Matual said. He asked the man questions: Who are you? What are you doing? What’s in the suitcase?
“It was the cleaning guy,” Matual said.
But it's better to be safe than sorry, as they say.
Matual said he has put in a lot of overtime to curb burglaries in Bridgeport and recover stolen property, motivated to catch the bad guys.
“We’re not going to stop,” Matual said. “We’re going to follow every lead we’ve got.”
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