Police want Manoa to
look out for burglars

Police are alerting Manoa residents to watch out for suspicious activity because of a recent increase in burglaries in the area.

The warning comes after a burglary last Saturday in which the suspect stayed at the victim's home for several hours and even struck up a conversation with one of the neighbors. Police said they had received several tips about the identity of the suspect through CrimeStoppers after news media reported the crime yesterday, but they have not made any arrests.

Police would not say how many burglaries have occurred, except to say that detectives have arrested four burglars in the Manoa area since July 11.

They said there have been numerous cases, especially since the school year started.

"Kids are back in school and no one is home," said CrimeStoppers Coordinator Kim Capllonch. "There has been an increase in burglaries, and they're working on it.

"But people have to be safe."

Capllonch said that while police are focusing on the suspect from last Saturday, there are "multiple suspects" committing burglaries.

Police are asking residents to call 911 if someone comes to their door under suspicious circumstances, such as knocking, then giving a strange name and pretending to have the wrong house if someone answers.

They are asking that residents try to memorize what such people look like and what kind of vehicle they are driving.

In last Saturday's burglary, the suspect grabbed a stool from the garbage and used it to access the victim's house through a bedroom window.

A neighbor spotted a man near the victim's property around 3:30 p.m. but could not reach the homeowner.

The suspect is described as being in his early 20s, between 5 foot 6 and 5 foot 8, 140 pounds, with large ears, dirty blond hair and long sideburns. He wore a navy-blue baseball cap backward, a short-sleeve gray shirt with a gray design and dark-blue athletic shorts.

Police said residents can help prevent burglaries by not leaving windows open or unlocked, installing sensor lights in front of homes and keeping a guard dog. They should also get to know their neighbors and let them know if the house will be vacant for an extended period.

Residents can report suspicious activity near their homes or neighbors' by calling CrimeStoppers at 955-8300 or dialing *CRIME on a cellular phone.