Valley cat burglar arrest a warning to keep doors, windows shut

The recent arrest of a suspected cat burglar in Palm Springs has prompted police to renew calls for homeowners and other residents to lock and close their doors and windows.

Police say a man entered a home on the 900 block of San Lucas Road on Friday night while the resident was sleeping inside. The victim apparently confronted the suspect and ran after him, even though the suspect told the victim he was armed.

Several hours later detectives found a “suspicious” vehicle in the area with a passenger who matched the description of the suspect. 30-year old Teddy Hartwell of Palm Springs was arrested on suspicion of robbery, burglary, and for violating the terms of his probation.

“Especially this time of the year when the weather is cool, folks tend to leave their doors open,” says Cpt. Walter Combs. “Front doors, garage doors, patio doors, and we wanted people to take a fresh look at doing that.”

Palm Springs police released this primer on how to keep your home and property safe:

The MOST important thing YOU can do is CALL THE POLICE to report a CRIME or any SUSPICIOUS activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. And remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes! Light up your residence, lock your doors at all times, and call the Police when you see something suspicious.

The majority of burglaries in Palm Springs occur when entry is made via an UNLOCKED DOOR OR OPEN WINDOW.

The Burglary Basics:

-Make your home look occupied and make it difficult to break in.

-Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.

-Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.

-Keep your garage door closed and locked.

-Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.

-Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.

-Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.

-Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.

-Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.

-Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.

Don’t Tempt a Thief:

-Lawn mowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight

-Always lock your garden sheds and garages.

-Use curtains/blinds/shutters on your windows, including garage door windows.

-Never leave notes on your door such as “Gone shopping.”

Locks…Get the Best:

-Any lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.

-Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.

-When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.

Targeting the Outside:

-Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.

-Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.

-Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.