COLUMBIA (WACH) -- In the past year, 304 residential break-ins were reported to Columbia Police.
Chris Willard never thought he would call himself a victim of theft.
“This is such a safe neighborhood you don't think about it happening,” says Melrose Heights resident Chris Willard. “They went through every nook and cranny in the house.”
During the time Willard left for work Monday morning to mid-afternoon, more than $10,000 in valuables were stolen from his home.
“I feel like I have done everything that I could do to protect my home,” Willard says.
The thieves attempted to enter Willard’s residence through a window, but found an easier way into the property through an unsecured doggy door.
According to Deputy Chief Ruben Santiago of the Columbia Police Department, residential break-ins are up 17 percent in the last 12 months.
From Friday to Monday, there were four burglaries in Melrose Heights.
“I think we definitely would see a decrease in crime if we had more people in the community who were interested in what's going on, and reported suspicious activity,” Santiago says.
He adds during the spring and summer months, criminal activity is usually at its highest as homeowners leave to go on vacations.
Officials recommend whether your at home or away, always make sure to safeguard your property by making it appear that someone is always at home.
Click here for more crime prevention tips from the Columbia Police Department.
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