The following are articles and portions of articles of interest:

Open garage doors attract burglars. Make a habit of keeping garage doors closed and locked, an open garage door with no car in sight is a clear invitation to a burglar, especially if the garage is used to store such items as bicycles, power mowers, garden tools, and other easily stolen property.

Open garage door: an invitation to a burglar
Want to know the best way to prevent a burglary at your home? It's as simple as closing your garage door!

The Woodbury Police Department has been studying burglaries that have occurred in the city in an effort to help prevent them. What the department has discovered may surprise you. "Garage burglaries are the most common type of burglary in Woodbury," said Sgt. Mike Pepin, "In the overwhelming majority of these crimes, the burglar entered the garage easily since the large garage door was left open!"

Of the 145 burglaries reported in 2001, 61 occurred in garages that were open. By comparison, only 16 burglaries took place in secured garages. "Think of all the neat stuff you have in your garage that a burglar might like," Pepin said. "An open door presents an irresistible opportunity. Simply closing your door removes the opportunity and the temptation for the would-be burglar."

Pepin's work to minimize burglaries is part of a more comprehensive program within the Police Department to address some common public safety problems. The department also is studying traffic, accidents, parks, underage alcohol consumption, arson, drugs, retail crime, hotels, theft from motor vehicles, winter parking, and school facility issues.

According to Capt. Todd Johnson, the work includes collection of detailed statistics, called crime mapping, to reveal trends such as the connection between the open garage doors and the burglaries.

If you want to help prevent a burglary, make it your routine to check your garage door before you retire each night. If you would like more information on crime prevention, call the Woodbury Police Department at (651) 739-4141.

"It really shocked me that they could go in and no one would see it because neighbors were out. There's always people out on the sidewalk but nobody saw or heard anything," Hughes said.

Silently, police said, two men drove around Hughes' neighborhood in a four-door red Ford Focus, targeting open garages.

"My mom came home for lunch and left the garage door open for a half hour, and within the half hour, someone stole my clubs," said Hunter Wright, a victim. "It meant a lot. It was my bag for four years and I was hoping to come back (in) 10 to 20 years and say, 'I remember that.'"

Police said they have one suspect in custody, but believe his accomplice is still on the loose.
Police said they believe the suspects are responsible for 75 garage burglaries in Pickerington, Powell, east and north Columbus and Fairfield County.

Police urge residents to be aware of suspicious activity in their neighborhood and to call police with any information.

Friday, May 18

7:25 a.m. Theft, 400 block of 3rd Ave N. A Pioneer face plate, an 11-inch yellow and black bat and a garage door opener were stolen from an UNLOCKED vehicle. The garage door opener was located in the back yard of the residence.

7:45 a.m. Theft, 400 block of 8th Ave N. Homeowner reported the theft of a motorcycle helmet, beer and smoking pipes from his garage. A vehicle parked inside the garage was also entered and a Clarion face plate, Sheels gift card and gym bag were stolen. The homeowner reported to officers that he had inadvertently left his overhead garage door open. The gym bag was later found in the roadway.

8:30 a.m. Theft, 600 block of Pine Cone Rd N. An UNLOCKED vehicle was entered and a purse was stolen

In 2007, police said they've found 101 garage doors left open.

Police said their efforts have helped reduce home burglaries by one-third from last year.