Homes in Laie and nearby Punaluu and Hauula have been struck by a spate of burglaries recently.

Since Feb. 1, 12 homes along that stretch have been hit, the most recent on Saturday morning.

A Punaluu man, 87, let his dog out of the house between 5 and 6 a.m. Saturday and left the front door ajar when he went inside to lie down, police said.

The man got up when he heard noises and was struck on his head and face with an unknown object, police said. Police said the home showed signs of a search, but it was unclear whether anything was taken.

On Friday, Windward police caught two men suspected of burglarizing a Punaluu house.

A man reported seeing his neighbor's gate open, the front door ajar and two suspicious men walking around the property just before 10:38 a.m. Friday, police said.

The neighbor confronted the men and tried to detain them, but they got into a vehicle and struck him in the right leg as they drove off, police said.

Police arrested two Windward men, ages 19 and 26, on suspicion of first-degree burglary and second-degree assault. They were later released.

The homeowner reported property was taken from his house, police said.

Lt. Kevin Espinda, who heads the Windward Criminal Investigation Division, said six of the burglaries were concentrated in a small area of Laie.

The burglaries took place during day to evening hours from Feb. 1 through Saturday.

In most of the burglaries, portable electronics—including laptops and gaming consoles—as well as jewelry were stolen, Espinda said. In one incident, a flat-screen TV was taken.

“;Police have been actively investigating these burglaries,”; he said. “;They are sporadic and unpredictable.”;

Burglars have entered homes through jalousie windows, sliding doors, rear windows and even unlocked doors, he said.

“;Get to know your neighbors and work together,”; he said. “;Neighbors need to look out for each other.”;

He recommended that neighbors jot down the license numbers of any suspicious vehicles and call police.