Police were searching for a pair of burglars suspected of breaking into several residences while the occupants were asleep.
According to Riverside police, the same suspects are believed responsible for break-ins throughout the Canyon Crest area, including one on Feb. 12 during which the home invaders stole credit cards later used to make purchases at stores.
The man has tattoos on his neck, legs, and right hand, said Sgt. Kevin Townsend, of the Riverside Police Department.
The burglary happened in the 1500 block of Cedarhill Place, near Andulka Park and the Canyon Crest Country Club, Townsend said.
The residents awoke the next morning to find a number of items taken from their home, Townsend said.
He said further investigation revealed similar break-ins had occurred nearby, generally when the homeowners were slumbering in bed.
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One property owner, however, awoke and chased one of the suspects out of his house, according to Townsend.
"It sure seems as if somebody was watching the area," said a man who didn’t want to be identified because his home was recently broken into. "There was a symbol from the alarm company on the window they broke in. They walked into the main area of the house. The alarm went off. They ran out though the front door."
Nighttime residential burglaries when someone is home are very rare and have a high potential for violence, the sergeant said.
As police search for the culprits, rattled residents are taking extra security precautions, iincluding adding surveillance cameras.
"Many of them are pointing the cameras at the streets so they can see the cars driving through the area at night," said a woman who identified herself as Jane.
"If a person breaks into your house in the nighttime it’s a dangerous person," said Ben Tyson.
Because of the danger posed to the community, police were asking anyone with information to step forward. Anonymous tips were welcome.
Tipsters were asked to contact Detectives Brandi Merrill and Jeff Putnam at (951) 826-5396, or (951) 826-5375.
