PHOENIX – A string of burglaries in North Phoenix has some homeowners wondering if the 'rock burglar' is back in action.
The home burglar got the name because he or she was throwing a rock or heavy object through a window to get into the homes of their affluent victims.
Scottsdale and Paradise Valley detectives say the last known such burglary happened in 2005.
But now it's happening in Glen Eagle, a gated community near Desert Ridge, located near the Loop 101 & Tatum Boulevard. At least four burglaries have been reported.
In one case, the burglars used a dumbbell to smash into a home.
Russell Dorsch said his family came home to a glass-filled kitchen, later finding the dumbbell on the floor.
"We walked in with a 6-year-old and a 4-year-old and we're all concerned about safety," Dorsch said.
After checking the whole house, they started investigating what was taken.
Pictures reveal the mess where the burglars rifled through cabinets and drawers looking for jewelry, and apparently finding thousands of dollars worth.
"We live in a gated community, they're not coming through your front doors, they're climbing your fences," Dorsch said.
But this time, he said they came from the neighbor's yard after breaking in there by smashing a rock through a sliding door.
"I've done the detective work, I found out within a 45 minute period, between 8:15 and 9 o'clock, three houses were burglarized," Dorsch said.
Then, he said another neighbor called police because he saw a home invasion in progress.
Dorsch said the unfortunate part is he's learning his family was underinsured.
That's why he's urging you to check your policies.
He's also going door to door to warn neighbors about what happened.
The HOA is having a meeting in the community this Saturday at 10 a.m. to talk about the burglaries and to start a block watch.
Police said these are crimes of opportunity and to make sure to get an alarm system if you don't have one.
