Dozens of burglaries throughout Fort Dodge have remained unsolved since October, said Fort Dodge police.
Ten or those burglaries were reported this past weekend, putting the total at 92, and it is believed the crimes are all connected, said Fort Dodge Police Detective Cory Husske.
Husske said he thinks the crimes are connected based on the time of day the crimes usually take place and the items that are repeatedly taken.
"Laptop computers, flat-screen television sets and guns were the most common items taken," he said. "They definitely have a grocery list of items they are interested in."
However, he said other valuable items, such as cash and iPods, that are within easy access at the time of the crime aren't exempt from being taken.
Husske said there have been a few reports of someone breaking in but not taking anything. He said it's possible the criminals couldn't find anything of interest immediately and simply left.
"We know they drive around at night and shop," Husske said, and the crimes take place the next day while people are at work.
The criminals look for boxes on the curb that advertise if someone recently bought an expensive electronic item, he said.
"They do their homework," Husske said.
Fort Dodge Police Detective Jody Chansler said keeping the curtains closed at night and during the day when you are at work will make it harder for the thieves to see what you own.
He said the items they take are often big and heavy and need more than one person.
"They are working in teams," he said.
Husske said the criminals don't want to be seen walking down the street with a large TV so they pull a car up to the house or park in the driveway.
"We've been called out to investigate and had a neighbor walk up and say they saw a strange car in the driveway earlier," he said. "We need people to call during the crime in progress."
Chansler agreed and said neighbors need to re-establish neighborhood watch groups and look out for each other.
"People need to be observant," he said. "We'd rather be called out for a false report than to let the crime take place and find out about it afterwards."
Husske said if there are any doubts about a car in the area or someone usual at a neighbor's home, call the police immediately.
"We've been told to have a 'mind-your-own-business' mentality," he said. "We're not asking people to be nosy, we're asking them to report unusual activity."
Other ways to make it harder for criminals are to install motion lights, leave porch lights on and to advertise if you have a dog, Husske said.
Assistant Fort Dodge Police Chief Kevin Doty recommended leaving lights on or installing an alarm system.
He said Operation ID, a system through the Fort Dodge Police Department that labels items with a number specific to a household, will make it easier to identify merchandise later and make it harder to resell the items.
"When we have a rash of home burglaries like this, it's so important that people watch out for each other," he said.
Contact Katie Williams at (515) 573-2141 or katie@messengernews.net