METHUEN, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – Robbers are targeting certain neighborhoods in Methuen and police say what attracts residents also attracts the burglars.
In the past few weeks homes on North Street, Hampstead Street, Maple Street and others have been broken into.
“They break in with the knowledge that when they come out, they're right into thick, thick brush and woods. They have cover and work the paths in the woods,” Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon said.
Methuen Police Chief Joseph Solomon says police now respond to 3 to 4 break-ins a DAY....while before, it was 1 to 2 week!
“That's scary, I never knew about it,” Methuen resident Ferdil Eloy said.
Eloy moved to Northeast Methuen because it's peaceful and had no idea robbers were targeting that part of the city.
Because that part of Methuen borders Haverhill and Salem, New Hampshire, Solomon says robbers run into the woods and cross city limits.
All three police departments are working together to help put a stop to the crimes and catch those who are responsible.
Joanne Pelczar lives in Haverhill, just feet from the Methuen line. Her backyard is thickly wooded and she told FOX25 she often hears noise coming from beyond the trees.
“You don't know what they're doing if they're scoping out the neighborhood,” Pelczar said. “It definitely does concern me that it's close and that it's in the area.”
Police recommend residents install alarm systems and motion detectors to scare suspects away.
Methuen Police say they typically see break-ins go back down in January, when the holiday season is over, but until then they're asking everyone to be on high alert.
Cox Media Group
