By ANGELA MARSHALL
Within three days, six burglaries were reported in the Baldwin area. From September first to the third, residents on Milburn, Schuman, Hayes, Campus, Wales and John all reported break-ins to the First Precinct. Four more were reported on Schuman, Centennial, Barth and Coolidge last week.
While police say there is no rise in Baldwin burglaries, they do concede that a pattern is emerging. "We're looking into the burglaries that are occurring in Baldwin," said Detective Stephen Kowalski. "We have a few we are looking into as being connected."
In six of the ten break-ins, entry was gained through a rear window.
Details of the burglar or burglars are "sketchy," Detective Kowalski said. However, several of the homeowners have been awakened by the burglar and say that they saw a male black, according to the detective.
This week, Detective Kowalski said, they are going back to "recanvas the areas" that have been hit. They will ask residents to go back over their statements and look for other clues.
Police believe that some of the crimes are definitely separate but no less dangerous. Residents of the Milburn Avenue house were asleep when they were awakened by someone entering their bedroom.
One of the residents, believing it was one of his children, called out. When the person did not reply, the homeowner came at the burglar and was struck several times, according to police. When the victim's son entered the confrontation, the subject fled the home.
Detective Winter said this was a case of the "homeowner being too quick."
He said that if you suspect someone is in your home you should not approach them but, instead, should make noise. "Yell at him."
The homeowner suffered "serious injuries" and was taken to South Nassau Communities Hospital, according to Detective Winter. Police are not allowed to disclose the identity of the victim.
Prevention is the best defense
First Precinct police warn residents to take more care in home security. "Unfortunately people get lax with security," said Detective Kolwalski. "They should lock their doors and windows, even secondary windows."
He also said that people should remove any furniture or ladders that could enable a burglar to reach second floor windows or doors.
"If [residents] hear anything that sounds even the slightest bit suspicious call 911," Detective Kolwalski said. "A lot of people feel funny about calling but that's what we're here for."
