Burglars are breaking into Highlands Ranch homes in the middle of the night, and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office is warning that many of the targeted houses back up to open space and golf courses. Investigators say they are seeing a pattern of forced‑entry residential break‑ins, and in at least some cases the victims were out of town when the burglars struck.
What The Sheriff’s Office Shared
The department posted photos of shattered glass, damaged windows and a residential‑burglary alert on its Facebook page. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office urged neighbors to report anything that seems out of place and listed a detective contact, Deputy Nicola, at 303‑814‑7083, for anyone who may have information.
How Deputies Say Suspects Are Getting In
According to investigators, the burglars are “breaking second‑story windows with a rock to check if anyone is home” before slipping in through basement windows. Most of the reported incidents have happened between 10:00 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. The Facebook alert, which includes close‑up photos of the damaged entry points, also notes that some of the victims were out of town when their homes were hit, according to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Precautions And County Crime‑Prevention Programs
The sheriff's Crime Prevention guidance backs up those warnings and highlights a couple of programs designed to help keep burglars at bay. Homeowners can use the county's House Watch registration when they are away and enroll in the Community Camera Partnership so investigators know where they can request security footage after a crime.
Per the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, residents are urged to lock all doors, secure garages and pet doors, install motion‑activated lighting, reinforce windows that might be easy to reach, and keep security cameras trained on basement and backyard access points.
How To Report Tips And Get Local Alerts
If you see suspicious activity in progress, call 9‑1‑1. For non‑emergency tips or to file a report after the fact, contact the sheriff's non‑emergency line at 303‑660‑7505 or use the department's online reporting tools.
Residents who want to stay updated on incidents like these can sign up for neighborhood alerts through DougCoAlert, which delivers timely notifications from local agencies.
