Burglaries prompt phone warnings

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A rash of burglaries and car break-ins recently in the towns of Somerset, St. Joseph and the northern part of the town of Hudson has prompted the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office to try electronic alerts.

Sheriff Dennis Hillstead said that last Friday some 6,600 phone messages were sent to residents in the hard-hit areas warning people of the situation and urging them to keep their cars, garages and house doors locked.

“It appears to be the work of two groups,” Hillstead said. “They have been breaking into cars and outbuildings and some homes. They have been selective, taking cash, jewelry, electronics and GPS systems from cars.”

The sheriff said there was a rare instance recently in the town of Somerset where burglars entered a house that was occupied and woke up the homeowners when they dropped a TV they intended to take.

“It’s important for people to remove valuables from their cars, lock their vehicles, garages and homes, let their neighbors know when they are gone and report any suspicious vehicles in the area,” he said.

Tags: crime and courts, st croix county, news, burglaries