Unlocked Cars Lead to Home Burglaries in Des Peres

Des Peres police have a suspect in a spate of thefts from cars and home burglaries this week—a small crime spree that broke overnight Tuesday and Wednesday, prompting an email alert from law enforcement officials.

Capt. Charles Milano of the Des Peres police said there were four separate thefts from cars and two first-degree burglaries from homes.

"They were using getting into cars, then in a couple of instances, they used the garage door openers to get into the house," Milano said. 

A Patch reader named "Mary Anne E" posted a comment on our earlier story about the incidents, saying her family was among the victims.

"My husband accidently left his car unlocked in the driveway," she wrote in the comments. "The thief then used the garage door opener to open the garage and then proceeded to come into our house while, my husband and I and our 2-year-old son were sleeping. When someone comes into my house uninvited, that is a break in."

The burglars stole clothing, pursues, at least one iPhone, cash and one laptop, he said.

"We recovered a car that we do believe was involved," he said. "We also have one person as a suspect who we believe was related to the crimes."

The incidents happened in the Harwood Hills subdivision area, north of Manchester Road off of Bopp Road.