Columbia police issue warning after two more neighborhoods burglarized
Columbia police have issued a warning to residents after two more neighborhoods became targets for burglars.
Police say in the last few weeks, there has been a rash of burglaries in two south Columbia neighborhoods — off of Nifong Boulevard and Bearfield Road and off of Providence just south of Corporate Lake.
Bryana Maupin with the police department says all seven of the recent break-ins share a common denominator: the thieves got in through an unlocked door or window.
“There hasn’t been forced entry in any of these,” she explained.
It’s a crime spree that has residents on high alert.
“We were worried about it,” resident Morgan Knott said.
Her home was broken into last year, before she lived in it. She said that’s why she and her roommates always take extra precautions.
“We make sure to take stuff home and lock the doors all the time, even if we’re there and our roommate is about to come home, because you never know,” she said.
With this rash of burglaries and spring break just around the corner, police said this is the perfect time to remind residents about safety. They say it is as simple as pop, drop, and lock.
“Make sure you pop your lights on, give the appearance someone is home; drop the blinds; and lock all doors and windows and make sure those locks are working appropriately,” Maupin said.
So far, there have been four burglaries in the Bearfield Road neighborhood and three in the Corporate Lake area. Police don’t have a suspect description.
