Mpls. Police: Bicycles Stolen in Dozens of Fifth Precinct Garage Burglaries

Minneapolis police are reminding Fifth Precinct residents to keep their property secured after dozens of garage burglaries in the past week.

Authorities say 38 garage burglaries were reported in the area between July 16 and July 23. In many of the cases, the suspects entered the garages through open or unlocked service or overhead doors. Other times the suspects pried open doors, broke windows, or used garage door openers taken from unlocked vehicles in the driveway.

Police say most of the items taken in the burglaries were bicycles. On Monday, they arrested two people, 41-year-old Calvin Jenkins and 21-year-old Scott Swanholm, in connection with burglaries in the 2400 block of Aldrich Avenue and the 1900 block of James Avenue South, respectively.

In one of the cases, a victim had seen her bike posted on Craigslist and was able to verify it by the bike's serial number. Police say knowing your bike's serial number is crucial to helping them locate the bike if it's stolen.

Authorities have also identified a suspect, 56-year-old Ernest Baugh, in connection with a break-in at an apartment building in the 2600 block of Garfield Avenue. Authorities say Baugh pried open the security door to the building, then broke open coin laundry boxes and stole approximately $600 in coins. He has a probable cause pick-up for his arrest.

Police are reminding residents to keep overhead and service doors locked, never leave garage door openers in vehicles, and always record serial numbers of bicycles and electronics. Anyone who sees suspicious activity should call 911.