Three reported breaks in Northampton Monday have police asking for help

By Owen Boss

Staff Writer

NORTHAMPTON - After three house and car breaks reported Monday, including one in which a stranger was discovered in a Hatfield Street home, police are seeking help from residents. They have asked people to watch out for their neighbors' property, and to warn neighbors or police if they notice someone acting suspiciously.

According to Sgt. Anne M. McMahon, at 4:41 p.m., police responded to 67 Hatfield Street where a homeowner reportedly discovered a stranger inside his home who then jumped out an open window and fled.

McMahon said police responded to the scene with a dog unit but were unable to locate the suspect.

Although nothing was reported stolen in the incident, McMahon said the victim told police the perpetrator was attempting to steal a number of electronic items from the house before they were discovered.

"It was hard for them to give us a clear description because he was jumping out a window, but they said he was a white male and he may have been balding," McMahon said.

At 5:12 p.m., police responded to Elwell State Park on Damon Road, where a motorist reported that the passenger side door of a vehicle had been damaged and a dashboard radio and a back support pillow had been stolen.

"That is a place where vehicle break-ins are very frequent," McMahon said. "It has gotten to the point where people are just walking along and looking inside of vehicles for anything of value."

At 11:12 p.m., McMahon said a Walnut Street resident called police to report that a laptop computer had been stolen from his apartment and that the perpetrator had slit a window screen to get inside.

Thefts of laptop computers and flat screen televisions from area homes are on the rise recently, McMahon said, and the break-ins are occurring in towns across the region.

"We had a screen slit on Florence Road just the other night and we don't know if these crimes are related but they are repeatedly happening," McMahon said.

"We are just asking for the public's assistance on this. People should keep an eye on their neighbor's property and immediately call the police department if they notice someone acting suspicious or roaming around the back of houses. That is what we are here for."

Owen Boss can be reached at oboss@gazettenet.com