Two El Cerrito homes were broken into within about 30 minutes of each other Wednesday evening, and police now believe the same suspects and a black Jeep Cherokee are behind both break-ins. A third burglary reported the same day turned out to be unrelated. In one case, the suspects fled empty-handed even though a resident was home at the time.
The first burglary was reported around 6:40 p.m. in the 6800 block of Snowdon Avenue, according to KTVU. Responding officers found signs of forced entry at the back of the home, and the suspects had already fled by the time police arrived. About 25 minutes later, officers were called to a second burglary in the 60 block of Wildwood Place, where a resident was home during the break-in.
At the Wildwood Place home, two suspects shattered a rear sliding glass door before running off without taking any property, the station's report states. Investigators say the burglaries involved similar methods of entry, and surveillance footage showed a newer-model black Jeep Cherokee without a front license plate driving through the area near both homes.
Video Shows Suspects Fleeing Empty-Handed
Neighbor surveillance video captured two suspects walking toward the Wildwood Place residence and then running away just minutes later, per the same account. El Cerrito police believe the same suspects may be responsible for both break-ins based on that footage and the matching vehicle sighting.
A separate search snippet from the Richmond Standard similarly described officers responding to an alarm at the Snowdon Avenue home Wednesday evening, where an intruder had forced entry.
Police Seek Footage From Nearby Streets
Police have asked residents around Snowdon Avenue, Ganges Avenue, Wildwood Place and Navellier Street to review their own surveillance footage for the vehicle or suspects. Anyone with relevant video has been encouraged to contact the police department, the outlet's report notes.
Investigators have determined that a third burglary reported the same day in El Cerrito was not connected to the two home break-ins. No further details on that separate incident were included in the report.
