Arrest eases break-in fears, but ...

For months, many Cape Girardeau and Jackson residents have been concerned about break-ins and the theft of money and jewelry from their homes.

Several of these burglaries have occurred in Jackson, and Cape Girardeau police are investigating 60-some cases -- all with similarities that suggest the same person is responsible.

Police got a break late last month when some of the stolen items turned up at a pawnshop in Robinson, Ill.

That led to an arrest by Crawford County sheriff's deputies in Illinois of a man who listed Robinson as his home address but also occupied a residence here.

The man has been charged with one burglary in Jackson.

Investigators are considering links that may lead to additional charges.

Worried homeowners can thank a Jackson resident for providing much of the information that led to the arrest. The Jackson resident returned home April 10 and found a burglar in his house. The resident chased the burglar, who allegedly punched the homeowner before escaping with items taken from the house. The homeowner's description, along with other evidence obtained by police, led to the arrest warrant.

Almost everyone in Cape Girardeau and Jackson knows at least one, if not more, victim of these burglaries, which involved smashing in a door, spending less than five minutes in the house and then disappearing with jewelry, cash and an occasional firearm. Many of the burglaries occurred when homeowners left to eat out in the evening.

Let's hope the police have the right suspect and that he is convicted of his crimes.

One lesson we can all take away from this is that we need to be smart about protecting our homes by locking doors and turning on alarm systems when we leave.

While this serial burglar may be in custody, there are others out there who will invade your home and steal from you if you don't take simple precautions.