Number of December burglaries in Cape down

Though the month isn't over, this December saw fewer Cape Girardeau burglaries than in previous years, according to Cape Girardeau police.

Though numbers aren't exact because some reports may not be complete yet, 11 burglaries were reported in Cape Girardeau as of Wednesday, said Sgt. Barry Hovis, spokesman for the police department. So far this year, 293 burglaries have been reported.

In 2007, 22 of the 332 burglaries reported in Cape Girardeau occurred in December, when people may be away from home during the holidays, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol.

In 2006, 29 of the year's 279 burglaries were committed in December. In 2005, 18 burglaries were reported in December, out of a total of 324.

Jewelry, specifically rings, seems to be the item most frequently reported missing during burglaries, Hovis said.

Nine or 10 break-ins of the 43 reported since September involved a theft of rings or other jewelry, while seven or eight involved a theft of cash.

Five of the people who reported break-ins recently had firearms taken from their homes, Hovis said.

Computers and gaming devices, as well as other electronics, are also likely to be targeted during a home break-in, Hovis said.

The most unusual items reported stolen this month were a bottle of Crown Royal whiskey and a vacuum cleaner, he said.