Find Your Perfect System
January 26, 2012
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Burglary Spike in Virginia Beach, VA includes Stolen Dogs
Here’s a sobering story of a spike in residential crime during a short period – and all in one city. The neighborhoods that were targeted had been considered safe for years, which is all the more upsetting for the residents. And in one case, it wasn't just jewelry and electronics that were taken: the intruders stole two dogs as well.
Virginia Beach police are investigating 21 Jan. home burglaries that happened in a span of six days. Those who live in the Bellamy Woods neighborhood consider it a good place for families, a nice area to live. So, when word spread of a burglary nearby, residents were surprised.
It Was a Safe Neighborhood
"It's a Middle American, nice suburban area, which you have throughout most of Virginia Beach and you don't expect it to happen," George Hodermarsky said. Hodermarsky has lived in Bellamy Woods for nearly 15 years. "I can recall one or two incidents in the whole time, so yes, when it's close to home it makes you think a bit and perhaps be more careful about making sure your doors are locked, garage door is down, not leaving things out," Hodermarsky said.
What the Burglars Stole
In Hodermarsky's neighborhood, nearly $2,000 worth of computers, video games and money were stolen from one home Jan. 5. The resident of the home told WAVY.com she plans to use insurance money to install a home security system. Several miles away in The Lakes area of Virginia Beach, burglars stole more than $4,200 worth of a family's property, including electronics and a wedding ring.
We know all too well what burglars steal – here’s the list. And as for using the insurance money to protect a home with a monitored alarm system: what an excellent idea!
Dogs Stolen, Too
In the Salem Lakes area, some residents were shocked to learn what was stolen for their neighbors. "My neighbor came over. She was upset, said that somebody had broken into her house and took her dogs," Charity Peregoy recalled. Peregoy is still a bit stunned someone broke into her neighbors' home and stole their two bulldogs, Dolce and Red. "I think that's maybe a little personal, on a personal level, like potentially someone knew the bulldogs were in there or that those dogs, those particular dogs of high price value, were in there," Peregoy said.
It’s Not the Money
The combined estimated value of the bulldogs is $4,100 dollars, according to a police report. However, Peregoy says she knows family pets are priceless. She has two herself. Peregoy added, "I would be heartbroken...they're like my kids. They're a part of the family. We treat them like they're one of us, so if somebody were to come in and take my dogs, I'd be highly upset."
As a reminder, here are two more of our favorite blog posts for you to read as you reconsider your peace of mind:
Of course, as police and home security experts know, the best deterrent is a monitored home alarm system – especially one with safer cellular monitoring and smarter interactive features. FrontPoint specializes in these systems: as the leader in wireless home security, we’re the #1 ranked alarm company in the US. You want protection that is safer, smarter, simpler, more affordable, and virtually impossible to defeat, and that’s exactly what we do. From California to Texas to Florida to Virginia Beach, Virginia, in thousands of cities and towns all across the US and Canada, FrontPoint is on the job.
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