Coral Springs Police and communities are on guard after a string of burglaries at five homes just this week.
The five homes were all hit Monday, and four were robbed, with burglars making off with thousands of dollars in jewelry and electronics, according to police.
The burglars reportedly broke in through the rear, sliding glass doors of each home, before ransacking them for valuables. Police said robberies like these aren't uncommon given the sluggish economy.
"Ever since the jewelry price has increased for the cost of jewelry right now for people selling jewelry, we have seen an increase in burglaries, unfortunately," Coral Springs Police spokesman Lt. Joe McHugh said.
Authorities in Coral Springs told NBC 6 they are aggressively pursuing leads, and have gathered key details in their investigation, as a result of opening a new unit called "BEAR," short for Burglary Enforcement And Reduction.
Neighbors on one Coral Springs street say they're wary, even if all seems fine.
"We're home most of the time so I'm not too much worried about it," John Messaria said. "I hope no one tries to get in while I'm here."
Investigators said a late model, blue-gray Nissan Altima with tinted windows was spotted near two burglarized homes.
"It was a newer model, Nissan Altima, grayish, bluish in color (that) waved her out of the driveway," McHugh said. "At first, she didn't think anything of it, you know, sometimes a police officer wouldn't have thought anything of it either; however, about two hours later, at another burglary in our city, a witness observed the same exact vehicle."
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Police said they believe the car could be a rental, and add that more thieves are using rental cars in an effort to keep law enforcement off their trails.
Anyone with information about this burglary or others is asked to call Coral Springs Police at 954-346-1200.
