EVERETT – Burglars have hit the Rucker Hill neighborhood nearly a dozen times in recent weeks while residents were inside their homes.
Eleven homes, most of them occupied at the time, have been burglarized since Aug. 20. Police think the break-ins are the work of the same person or group of people, Everett police Sgt. Boyd Bryant said.
“It’s not likely limited to one person. In my experience in these cases, there’s people used as possible lookouts or waiting in a nearby car,” he said.
The most recent break-ins occurred early Tuesday , just hours after a detective discussed the crime spree with residents at a monthly neighborhood meeting.
The burglar broke into two homes in the 3600 block of Federal Avenue while the homeowners were inside. A third attempt was made at another house next to one that was burglarized.
“It’s so scary,” Heather Ormsby said. “They got on the deck and tried to slide open the windows.”
The crook wasn’t able to get inside, and police were able to remove prints from the windows, Ormsby said.
Two other neighbors had wallets and money stolen from their homes.
“It’s horrible to think that some criminal was standing in my baby’s room,” said Peter Verhey, whose wife is an editor at The Herald.
The burglar pried open a locked sliding-glass door and took two backpacks and a diaper bag from Verhey’s home.
The two burglaries happened less than two weeks after someone broke into another house in the 3500 block of Federal Avenue. A woman, 82, was home when someone came in through an unlocked window and stole her purse.
Other break-ins and attempted burglaries have occurred on 35th Street, 41st Place, Laurel Drive and Rucker, Kromer and Short avenues. In some cases, the burglar searched several rooms before leaving.
Neighbors were rattled that the burglar was bold enough to come inside their homes while they were asleep.
“It may be bold, but it’s not very smart,” Bryant said. “The burglar is underestimating the population of Everett, which is fairly ardent about defending their homes.”
The Everett neighbors say they will take additional measures to secure their homes.
Ormsby has an alarm system, and planned to place stickers around her house to deter burglars. Verhey will replace the locks and update his security system with motion sensors.
Keith Collins, who lives in the neighborhood, said he didn’t know about the recent burglaries but will consider moving where his son sleeps at night.
“That’s really alarming. I might start sleeping in the living room. I’ll definitely keep my eyes open,” Collins said.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
How to help
Anyone with information about the recent burglaries in the Rucker Hill neighborhood is asked to call the Everett Police Department tip line at 425-257-8450.
Protect yourself
Police are advising residents to lock their doors and windows and leave outdoor lights on at night.
How to help
Anyone with information about the recent burglaries in the Rucker Hill neighborhood is asked to call the Everett Police Department tip line at 425-257-8450.
Protect yourself
Police are advising residents to lock their doors and windows and leave outdoor lights on during the night.
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