While people were out enjoying Thanksgiving feasts and taking advantage of holiday shopping deals, crooks were busying themselves with breaking into homes and vehicles around town.

A rash of property crimes, especially burglaries, were reported throughout the city. Between Thursday afternoon and Tuesday afternoon there were 15 residential burglaries and three commercial burglaries reported in Turlock. Additionally, there were eight larcenies, three auto burglaries and four auto thefts reported in the same time frame.

“There were more burglaries reported than normal, but that isn’t atypical for this time of year,” said Turlock Police Lt. Jeff Lopes. “It’s normal to see property crimes go up during this time of year. Crooks know people are out of their homes more during the holiday season.”

The break-ins were varied as to method, time and location and the police department does not suspect one or two rings of thieves were responsible for all the burglaries, Lopes said.

No arrests have been made and no suspects identified, Lopes said.

Having an alarm system that homeowners know how to properly work is the best way to stop burglars, Lopes said. Outside of that, creating the illusion that someone is home, perhaps by leaving a light or two on, is a good deterrent.

“If it looks like someone is home burglars tend to go somewhere else,” Lopes said.

Lopes advises residents be aware of who is coming and going in their neighborhood and if they spot something unusual or suspicious to call the police department.

“We’d rather come out and find no crime has been committed than to come out and take a crime report,” Lopes said.

The Turlock Police Department can assist residents with setting up Neighborhood Watch associations. For information about Neighborhood Watch contact Community Service Officer Michelle Backeroff at 668-5550 ext. 6730.

To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.