Posted: Aug. 31, 2009

Police from Muskego and New Berlin are advising residents to remember to lock up their homes and cars after several recent thefts and burglaries in the area.

Most of the recent crimes involve suspects simply entering unlocked vehicles and houses, with small electronic devices like Global Positioning System units, cell phones and digital media players being popular targets.

One of the techniques being used involves suspects ringing doorbells to determine whether anyone is present at a residence. If no one answers they burglarize the home, usually through an unlocked door or window. Suspects come up with a variety of excuses if someone does answer, and they simply move on to another residence.

"These are crimes of opportunity, and people are taking advantage," said Muskego Police Capt. John La Tour. "My suggestion would be to get these kinds of attractive items out of sight or remove them from your vehicle completely."

La Tour indicated that the Muskego Police Department has made several burglary and theft arrests within the past few weeks and is eager to see what impact those arrests make on the number of break-ins over the next few weeks.

Additionally, both departments are working on any links between the crimes in the area.

Police are also reminding residents to call in any suspicious behavior, especially during overnight hours when the majority of these offenses are occurring.

"People are seeing these things happen and sometimes they don't call us until well after the fact," said New Berlin police officer Dan Hanlon.

The Muskego Police Department is working on updating its Web site to include a map of crime in the area. A potential weekly blog is also in the works.