Marin Residential Burglary Spike Prompts Police Advisory

MARIN COUNTY, CA ? A rise in Marin residential burglaries has prompted a police advisory.

Multiple municipalities since early December have seen an increase in residential burglaries targeting high-end bicycles, the Central Marin Police Authority said.

The bikes are being stolen from residential garages.

The thefts are mostly occurring overnight, between 1-4 a.m., police said.

?Central Marin Police has accounted for ten 10 reported cases of such thefts between Corte Madera, Larkspur, and San Anselmo. Additionally,? the agency said.

?Several other Marin County communities have also been victimized by these crimes.

The burglaries are occurring in both attached and detached garage doors that have glass windows, police said.

?A small hole is broken in the window glass and an improvised tool (long metal rod with hook end) is used to defeat the closed/locked garage door by pulling down the emergency garage door pull cord,? police said.

Thieves typically use cargo-style vehicles such as vans or SUV's in which the bikes can be easily concealed, police said.

?These vehicles have been seen slowly driving by and casing neighborhoods.?

The following measures can deter such thefts/break-ins:

• Blocking out the window glass to prohibit thieves from see what is inside of the garage.
• Reinforcing the glass panels with an added layer of plexiglass.
• Removing or securing the emergency release handle so that it cannot be tampered with.
• Utilize the manual lock lever on the garage door, preventing the door from opening.
• Call CMPA at (415) 927-5150 to report suspicious vehicles who appear to be casing the neighborhood and write down license plates and vehicle information if possible.
• Install home surveillance cameras and actively monitor any alerts or activations.
• Install motion activated flood lights on the exterior of the home/ garage
• Talk with your neighbors and keep an eye out for each other.