String of overnight burglaries worrisome for police

Red dots in overhead image shows proximity of the three burglaries. (Courtesy image)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Police are investigating three house burglaries that occurred within the last week in close proximity to one another during nighttime hours while residents were asleep, prompting police fears that someone could get hurt in a possible confrontation.

"The most significant and disturbing factor common to all three burglaries is that they occurred during nighttime hours while the residents were at home, sleeping," a Tuesday press release from the department noted.

Two of the burglaries were committed on Sewell Road, while the other was on Milton Road.

The first burglary occurred on Sewell Road during the overnight hours last Thursday, specifically between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. on Friday. Thieves made off with an unknown amount of cash as residents slept.

The second burglary occurred on Milton Road during the overnight on Friday when the suspect or suspects entered a detached garage.

In a third burglary on Sewell Road a suspect was confronted inside the home around 10:45 p.m. on Monday by the female owner who had been alerted to the intrusion by the barking of a family dog. The masked intruder immediately fled the residence upon being discovered.

A Rochester Police K-9 unit responded to the scene and was able to track the suspect northbound along the train tracks toward Milton, but the suspect got away.

The only suspect description available is a male subject wearing a dark mask and possibly a hooded sweatshirt. The suspect was described as being between 5-foot-3 and 5-foot-9.

There was no sign of forced entry in any of the burglaries.

In light of the incidents Rochester Police are urging residents to lock their doors and windows at night and report any suspicious people or activity to the Rochester Police Department.

Anyone with information about these crimes is encouraged to contact the Rochester Police Department at 330-7127. Alternatively, calls can be made to the Rochester Crimeline at 335-6500. All calls to the Rochester Crimeline will remain confidential and rewards may be given for information leading to an arrest. You can also text the Rochester Crimeline at Crimes (274637) in the body of the text, simply write TEXT4CASH followed by your tip.