Crime Alert: Growing Pattern of Home Invasions in the Area
In late January and early February, there have been several reports of armed home invasions by either 2 or 3 African American men demanding cash, electronics, and guns. The incidents happened between 8 pm and midnight. Several incidents centered in a 2 block radius around the Indianola & Hudson intersection, while the most recent was several blocks south and west of there.
Witness reports include these descriptions:
- 3 Black guys (darker skin tone) One has a grey pull over other has a white beanie. Other guy on a bike.
- 2 African American men. The one with the gun is about 5’10 and 170 pounds. He wore a ski mask which may have been dark gray, a black hoodie, dark pants, and dark gloves. The gun was pretty small, possibly a snubnose. The other guy who seemed to be hiding behind the guy with the gun and wasn’t wearing a mask.
- 3 younger black men all of average build.
In one instance, they clearly knocked on the door before kicking it in. There have also been numerous reports of strangers randomly knocking on doors well after dark and into the early morning hours, and disappearing when they heard dogs barking. These reports MAY be connected to the invasions. Please know that you are certainly allowed to call in any such unusual behaviors to the police non-emergency line at 614-645-4545, especially if you have a description of the individuals. You may need to let the dispatchers know that there have been a pattern of home invasions in the area lately and that knocking prior to entry is reported in some of them.
At least one attempted break-in was prevented because the crooks could not easily get through the locks on the doors! Now is the time to check your home security measures. Reinforce strikeplates, keep doors locked, use window alarms, turn on exterior lights, trim back landscaping near entryways that could hide a burglar, and…as we say a lot…get to know your neighbors and communicate with them often.
We have more security measures collected for you at:
https://sohudblockwatch.org/resources/home-security-tips
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