LAKE MILLS, Wis. — A multi-county investigation is underway to catch a band of burglars. The crew sweeps an entire neighborhood while people are asleep looking for an easy target. Police say the best thing you can do is lock everything especially your car in your driveway.
This surveillance photo shows a crew of at least 8 teens and young men hit a neighborhood in Cottage Grove, just outside Madison. Police say they drive up in a couple cars, usually stolen and look for unlocked vehicles. Then they use the garage door openers to get inside.
"It is scary," said Roger Hopmann from Lake Mills.
Once they are in homes, police say purses, wallets, jewelry and electronics are taken. They also take car keys, so they can steal the owners vehicles. Police across the area say they are targeting small towns and quiet areas like Lake Mills.
"We leave our car unlocked. It's the country. It's why we moved out here," said John Boche from Jefferson County.
Police say Fond du Lac, Racine, Jefferson, Walworth, Dane, Sauk and Winnebago counties have all been hit. They are targeting homes between midnight and 5 a.m. Lake Mills Police now say they are stopping by homes to help people make them more secure. People from the area say they are taking the burglaries seriously.
"You do what you can with what you got. We'll probably be a little more diligent in the future," said Boche.
"They said leave your lights on in front porch and the back porch and that's what we are doing," said Hopmann.
Police in Dane County have gotten into chases with the suspects but so far no has been caught. Law enforcement believes the crew is from southeast Wisconsin.
