Burglaries
Monthly maps of burglaries in Minnetonka
Commercial or Business Burglary
A commercial burglary is defined as entry into a building, without consent of the person in lawful possession, with the intent to commit a crime or the commission of a crime, either directly or as an accomplice.
Prevention tips
- Install alarms, cameras, and entry bells.
- Burglaries usually lack in physical evidence, so they can be hard to solve. Having a good surveillance system that is operational may increase the chances of collecting evidence. This can aid in the identification & capture of suspects. If your business already has a surveillance system, conduct checks regularly to ensure it is working properly.
- Carefully check the doors and windows before closing to ensure that they are locked.
- Coordinate with neighboring businesses to watch for suspicious activity.
- Make sure your property inventory is up to date, record serial numbers, make and model of items and keep this record in a safe place.
- The whole exterior front of the business should be properly illuminated during the evening or when the business is closed.
- Make sure all landscaping, shrubs and trees or other obstructions are trimmed to assure adequate visibility.
- Computers and other valuable electronics should be anchored to secure objects to prevent easy removal. Your company’s computer databases and programs should be securely locked up and back up copies should be kept at a different location.
- If you see anything suspicious, call 9-1-1 immediately. Be a good witness and take note of what suspicious people and vehicles look like and their direction of travel.
Residential Burglary
A residential burglary is defined as entry into a dwelling, either unoccupied or occupied, without consent of the person in lawful possession with the intent to commit a crime or the commission of a crime, either directly or as an accomplice. When a perpetrator enters an attached residential garage, this is also considered a residential burglary.
Prevention tips
- Make sure all windows and doors on your residence are strong, secure, and have good locks.
- Consider installing a burglar alarm, motion lights, or other deterrents.
- Set timers for your lights when you are away to make it appear as if someone is home.
- Make an agreement with your neighbors to watch each others property for suspicious activity.
- Close garage doors at nightmany juveniles see an open garage as a great opportunity for theft, even though they may not know it is considered a serious felony.
