Break-Ins at West Metro Homes are Breaking Records this Summer

The number of break-ins in the West Metro are breaking records.

From Golden Valley to Minnetonka, Edina, Eden Prairie and Southwest Minneapolis, neighborhood after neighborhood is being targeted by thieves.  The list of victims in the hundreds. 

Police say intruders are treating other people's homes like their own piggybanks, including Scott Glatstein's.  He says it's not a comfortable feeling seeing windows smashed and to know that people have torn through your stuff. 

Minnetonka Police Captain Scott Boerboom confirms that crooks don't recognize city boundaries.  What we see in Minnetonka could be similar to other communities around us.  Half the time, crooks don't even have to break-in, they walk right-in through unlocked doors. 

During a drive along one street, we found 3 garage doors wide open, opportunity knocking.  Police say the crooks are helping themselves to whatever they carry:  small things like iPods and laptops. 

Here's a breakdown of the numbers:  We compared the first seven months: January through July of 2011 to the same period this year. 

In Minnetonka, homeowners have reported 111 break-ins versus 75 last year. 

Edina 54 to 38 last year. 

Golden Valley folks called in 40 burglaries, twice as many as last year. 

In Eden Prairie, the numbers are up too 56 from 35. 

In Southwest Minneapolis, around the lakes, residents reported 466 break-ins, that's 100 more than last year.  

Police are encouraging residents to attend their neighborhood National Night Out events to get to know who's who in the area.