The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is on the lookout for burglars who may be prowling the Village of Oak Creek.
The recent burglaries have struck two VOC businesses. In the first, just after midnight Dec. 29, YCSO deputies responded to a burglary in progress at a resort maintenance building on Sunridge Circle.
An employee had arrived and confronted two male suspects inside. The employee tried to block the door and lock them inside, but they were able to force the door open and flee. The employee called 9-1-1.
Deputies checked the area but could not locate the suspects, according to YCSO Public Information Officer Dwight D’Evelyn.
The suspects are both described as Hispanic males. The first suspect was reportedly wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt with fur around the hood and blue jeans. The second suspect is 5 feet 8 inches or 5 feet 9 inches tall with a slender build, thin beard along his jawline and was reportedly wearing a dark blue or black jacket and blue jeans.
As the suspects were fleeing the employee heard one of them yell to someone in Spanish, possibly a female accomplice or getaway driver who was nearby.
The second burglary took place Jan. 7. YCSO deputies were dispatched to an alarm around 2 a.m. at an insurance office in the 6500 block of State Route 179. Deputies determined unknown suspects forced entry into the location, although nothing appeared to be missing. No suspects were located.
The two burglaries may or may not be related.
Based on prior late-night activity in the residential areas of the Village, coupled with these two recent incidents, it is critical residents and area business owners stay extra alert to suspicious activity during late evening and early morning hours, D’Evelyn stated.
Be aware of vehicles driving in residential areas late at night, possibly without lights and no apparent destination.
As always, watch carefully for suspicious activity at homes that should be unoccupied.
Any unexpected late-night knock at your door may be an attempt by a burglar to check if the home is occupied.
If you are away from your home for a period of time, keep interior lights on in portions of the home to provide a “lived-in” look. Consider using timers to turn lights on and off. Let a neighbor use your driveway to park their car. Suspects could also be checking homes during the day and returning under cover of darkness to commit burglaries.
Area deputies are aware of the activity and providing extra patrols when available, D’Evelyn stated.
If you have information about these suspects or recent suspicious activity, contact YCSO at (928) 771-3260 or Yavapai Silent Witness at (800) 932-3232.
