| Updated: 10/31/2012 2:43 pm |
Published: 10/30/2012 8:50 pm
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A slender bandit is targeting homes while you’re sleeping and you may not even know you’re leaving an open door for a thief.
Tulsa burglary detectives report the thief is crawling through doggy doors across midtown.
Detectives said this thief is brazen to risk confronting a pet owner and they are making it a high priority case.
When a thief knows there’s potential for confrontation that makes these thieves bold and possibly dangerous.
"That's pretty brazen,” said Bob Hill.
When the Alert Neighbor in midtown Tulsa was notified about the doggy door bandit who came face-to-face with a woman, he worried it could escalate.
The victim screamed and was able to scare off the burglar.
"They are going to do what they need to do to protect themselves and that's going to be a problem and someone is going to get hurt,” said Hill.
He has a an 85 pound Chesapeake Bay Retriever Bella. She had no problem getting through the doggy door.
"I figured a small person wanted to get through the door could probably get through it,” said Hill.
Police recommend you use a door for your dog that has a deadbolt that can only be unlocked with a key. Police said even if a thief can't fit through the doggy door they can reach thrugh and unlock the door.
Hill said he has a deterrent on the door where he has the doggy door.
"The dog door is wired to the security system so it would sound the alarm," said Hill.
The Alert Neighbor captain said he is spreading the word about the thief.
"Start to look out for each other and know your neighbors. That's a key to this program,” said Hill.
Police said you can work to prevent a dog door bandits by using a smaller dog door. They said bigger dogs can get through small doggy doors. Also a block on the door may not be thief proof but it is a deterrent.
