AMHERST — Several break-ins at vacant off-campus rentals for college students during spring break are under investigation by police.
Amherst Police Detective Yvonne Feliciano said Monday that five break-ins were reported as students returned Saturday and Sunday.
In all cases an exterior door or window that was unlocked was used as the means of entry, Feliciano said.
“They appear to be related,” Feliciano said.
The incidents occurred despite advisories issued to college students before any extended vacations, including Thanksgiving and winter break, about taking valuables home and making sure all doors and windows are locked.
The first call came Saturday at 3:54 p.m. from residents at 39 Hallock St., where someone entered the multi-tenant home through a window and got into several locked bedrooms, taking jewelry, marijuana and marijuana bongs and bowls.
About two hours later, residents at 1039 North Pleasant St. reported that a PlayStation 4 game console was stolen. Entry was made through a window.
On Sunday at 1:21 p.m., residents at 26 Allen St. discovered that someone got in through an open window accessed by pulling down a fire escape ladder. Several bedroom doors were then broken, with two wristwatches and a laptop stolen. A wristwatch and jewelry were also reported stolen at 5:50 p.m. at 985 North Pleasant. The home was entered through a first-floor window, according to police.
Finally, at 10:40 p.m. on Sunday an unlocked door allowed someone to get inside to take jewelry, a laptop and a wristwatch at 717 Main St. Like to the Allen Street break-in, the intruder may have tried to use the fire escape ladder to access the home, Feliciano said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
