Northfield police said residents are “uneasy” about a burglar who is targeting neighborhoods around Bean Hill Road, including one home where video surveillance caught him in the act twice in a two-hour time span early Tuesday morning.
Lt. Michael Hutchinson said the burglar is likely responsible for at least a handful of break-ins or attempted break-ins reported between 2:30 and 6 a.m. that day. However, the suspicious activity in the area dates back to February when police began receiving multiple reports of thefts from unlocked cars parked in the same section of town.
“The description of the suspect is the same. Things died down for a couple of weeks or so, and now it seems with this happening he’s back at it,” Hutchinson said by phone Wednesday. “It’s an area he appears comfortable with, an area he can access by foot and he seems to have great escape routes.”
The man first entered a sunroom attached to the home at 32 Bean Hill Road about 2:10 a.m. But a hook or second lock on the interior door to the home prevented him from getting any further.
When the man left the residence, he continued on to a neighbor’s home at 24 Bean Hill Road and stole approximately $100 from a wallet that was in the kitchen, Hutchinson said.
Police believe the burglar tried to break into other homes in the area but was unsuccessful. Residents reported that several vehicles had been rummaged through, as well; although, there were no reports of any damage. Hutchinson said the vehicles were unlocked.
At about 4:30 a.m., the man returned to the residence at 32 Bean Hill Road where he attempted to gain entry through another door. Surveillance video captures the man trying to get into a locked door that leads to the kitchen by using some kind of card or device. The homeowners were awakened at that time by their pitbull and noticed their security cameras were activated.
“The scary part is, he seemed to show no concern for going in the house a second time,” Hutchinson said.
The suspect is described as approximately 5-foot, 7 inches tall. He was wearing a hoodie, jeans with a distinct “X” design on both rear pockets, Nike shoes and an Under Armour drawstring backpack with “everything here was engineered to make you better” inscribed on it.
Hutchinson said his biggest concern is that people aren’t reporting all instances of suspicious activity, including when they find a vehicle’s glove box open.
“We don’t know about it if you don’t report it,” he said. “We want to make sure the town is safe and that people are on alert and being proactive.”
Police have increased their patrols in the area. Hutchinson also reminded residents to lock all doors to their home and to lock their vehicles. Further, he encouraged them to leave outside lights on.
The Northfield Police Department is following up on several leads and asks anyone with information to contact them at 286-8982.
(Alyssa Dandrea can be reached at 369-3319 or at adandrea@cmonitor.com.)