Police say there was an uptick in home burglaries in Atwater Village over the weekend - and it could be tied to warmer temperatures.
The victims left windows open at night or when they were away, according to the Los Angeles Police Department's Northeast Division.
"In these partiuclar burglaries, we noticed rear and side window entries, two of which were unlocked windows maybe due to the heat, and a third one where the rear window was actually pried open," said LAPD Det. Michael Bland.
None of the property owners were home at the time of the break-ins. One house had a private alarm that scared off the intruder.
Ventilation the old fashioned way is not uncommon in the depression-era bungalows of Atwater Village. Homes were built without air conditioning and many remain that way.
Citywide, Los Angeles police report an 11 percent increase in property crime, usually items that can be quickly taken and have resale value.
Some neighbors fear the increase in break-ins is the result of the state's early release effort of state prison inmates convicted of nonviolent crimes. Police say no one has been hurt in any of the break-ins and support the use of alarm systems as a deterrent.
