RASH OF BURGLARIES REPORTED IN CITY

Cape Girardeau police say the same burglars may be responsible for several of a rash of break-ins around the city in the past month.

Of the 37 burglaries reported since February, the vast majority remain unsolved. Twenty-six were at businesses, the locations ranging from a furniture store to a dentist's office, and police Lt. Carl Kinnison said most of the thefts involve either office equipment or money.

Although a few similarities exist, it is still impossible to tell how many of the burglaries are connected, Kinnison said

"What we've got is an active group of burglars," he said.

The most recent burglary in Cape Girardeau was reported Thursday by Bank of America's branch on Mount Auburn Road. Someone forced open a door to get to an automatic teller machine, Kinnison said. The machine underwent damage, but nothing was stolen.

An average of 325 burglaries a year were reported in Cape Girardeau over the past 10 years. Most aren't solved. Cape Girardeau usually arrests suspects in 20 percent of its cases, Kinnison said, which is higher than a national average of approximately 14 percent.

The difficulty for detectives comes from a lack of witnesses, which is common for property crimes.

"Assaults and robberies are easier, because you have someone there who heard a voice or saw another person's actions," he said.

Security cameras and alarms are the best means of businesses warding off potential burglaries, Kinnison said. But they are not foolproof.

"At least one business had cameras working, but the area was too dark to see what was going on," he said.

Police experienced similar problems during an increase in robberies last summer. Some businesses that were robbed didn't keep film in their video cameras.

During one recent burglary, an alarm failed to activate, which Kinnison said is a signal to business owners that security equipment should be checked regularly.

Such devices are even more important considering the use of fingerprints from a burglary scene in finding a suspect is rare. Much depends on the type of surface that was touched by the burglar, Kinnison said.

Rural residents aren't immune from the crime, which leaves many feeling shaken and violated.

Family members of 77-year-old Evelyn Teson of Fruitland, Mo., say they're upset from a break-in at her house Thursday.

Miniature bottles of whiskey collected by Teson's late husband were found empty in the mobile home's living room, said Tina Schumer, a granddaughter. The burglars left a trail of miniature bottles.

Detectives are still looking for the suspects, who used a hammer to break in, Lt. David James of the Cape Girardeau Sheriff's Department said.

Teson heard the burglars, but went back to sleep after deciding her hearing was mistaken, Schumer said.

"We're so glad she didn't see them," Schumer said. "They had a hammer. She could have been hurt."

Burglary victims rarely are at home at the time of a break-in, Kinnison said.

In Jackson, police have not experienced an unusual amount of burglaries.

"I guess we've been lucky," Capt. Bob Hull said.