Editor's note: This story has been updated to accurately reflect the crime that occurred as a burglary.
DENVER (KDVR) -- The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is looking into nine high-value home burglaries this year that totaled almost $1 million in stolen goods.
So far, four homes in Cherry Hills Village, two in Littleton, two in unincorporated Arapahoe County and one in Columbine Valley reported burglaries this year between early February and mid-October, with many thefts occurring on Fridays between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. when no one was home.
During this time, the sheriff's office said two to four suspects wearing masks, hoodies, gloves and sometimes carrying a backpack smashed a glass door. Then, the suspects go through closets, dressers and bathrooms to steal valuable items like jewelry, designer purses, cash and safes.
While the burglaries are usually when no one is home, the sheriff's office said at least one incident in Cherry Hills Village was interrupted by someone who was home.
The sheriff's office didn't provide a further description of the suspects or vehicle descriptions as the sheriff's office believes the suspects are dropped off and picked up away from the home.
However, there was surveillance footage captured from the burglaries:
Surveillance footage of suspects in the "Dinnertime Burglaries" (Courtesy of the Arapahoe County sheriff's Office)
Surveillance footage of suspects in the "Dinnertime Burglaries" (Courtesy of the Arapahoe County sheriff's Office)
Surveillance footage of suspects in the "Dinnertime Burglaries" (Courtesy of the Arapahoe County sheriff's Office)
Surveillance footage of suspects in the "Dinnertime Burglaries" (Courtesy of the Arapahoe County sheriff's Office)
Surveillance footage of suspects in the "Dinnertime Burglaries" (Courtesy of the Arapahoe County sheriff's Office)
Surveillance footage of suspects in the "Dinnertime Burglaries" (Courtesy of the Arapahoe County sheriff's Office)
Surveillance footage of suspects in the "Dinnertime Burglaries" (Courtesy of the Arapahoe County sheriff's Office)
The sheriff's office believes these burglaries are part of a national pattern known as "dinnertime burglaries," which involve multiple South American theft groups.
The sheriff's office said similar burglaries have occurred in California and Arizona where the suspects watch their victims and use jammers to disrupt alarm systems, but the sheriff's office hasn't determined if it's the same circumstances in Colorado.
The sheriff's office said homes in which the back of the home faces open space, green belts, canals, trails, golf courses or have heavy tree coverage are often targeted.
Safety tips for residents
While the investigation is still in progress, the sheriff's office said there are a few safety tips that residents can follow:
- When leaving your home, lock all doors, close windows and set alarms.
- Leave lights on or use automatic timers to make your home look occupied and difficult to break in.
- Install motion sensor lights outdoors to light up dark areas.
- Consider purchasing exterior and interior cameras.
- Consider installing shatter-proof and window-tinting to prevent criminals from breaking the glass.
- Be suspicious of people loitering around your house. If something looks suspicious, call the police.
- Join a neighborhood watch group and look out for your neighbors.
Investigators are asking residents to call 911 if they see an in-progress crime or use our non-emergency number of 303-795-4711 to report suspicious activity. You can also call Crimestoppers with your anonymous tips at 720-913-STOP.
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