Andover police warned residents Wednesday, Sept. 9, to lock their doors and stay alert after several house break-ins and attempted break-ins were reported near Ballardvale and Dascomb Roads.
The department said it is actively investigating the incidents but released few details, according to a warning first reported by Patch. Police have not said how many homes were targeted, when the break-ins occurred or whether the cases are connected.
No suspects have been identified.
Lt. Frank Fitzpatrick said in an email to Andover News that detectives are following up on all leads. "We understand the concern incidents such as these cause within the community, so we want to assure residents that we are working diligently on these incidents," Fitzpatrick said.
Andover News reported that police released no additional details about whether anything was stolen in any of the incidents.
The warning follows a break-in reported Aug. 23 on Lovejoy Road, where a resident returned home after four days away and found a sliding door pried open and jewelry that appeared to have been moved, according to an Andover News public safety report. An officer found signs of forced entry and called for a detective. Radio transmissions did not indicate whether anything was stolen or whether a suspect was identified. Police have not said whether the Lovejoy Road incident is linked to the Ballardvale-area cluster.
The department urged residents to take several steps to protect their homes:
- Lock doors, vehicles and outbuildings such as sheds and garages
- Install home security cameras
- Leave exterior lights on at night
- Store ladders away from the house in a secure area
Andover recorded four burglaries between Jan. 1 and March 31, with no arrests, according to department statistics reported by Andover News.
The department has not announced a community meeting, press conference or timeline for updates on the investigation. Anyone with information about the break-ins or suspicious activity can call the detective tip line at 978-623-3560. Anyone witnessing a crime in progress should call 911.
