Police disturbed by brash break-ins

Posted at: 09/22/2009 5:24 PM | Updated at: 09/22/2009 5:34 PM
By: Kayla Anderson, Eyewitness News 4; Matthew Kappus, KOB.com

Officer John Francis

Rio Rancho police say home burglars have gotten more brazen over the last year. And on Monday, two homes were hit just hours apart.

Police say the burglar who hit a Rio Rancho home Monday didn't get an answer at the door, so he forced his way inside.

RRPD's John Francis said the burglar confronted the homeowner face to face with a knife and threatening the victim: "Give me your cell phone or I'll kill you."

The homeowner gave the man a cell phone and the suspect took off in a maroon minivan. Then, not even two hours later, another burglar hit a second home.

The mode of entry was similar to the previous break-in. The burglar "knocked, rang the doorbell, forced his way into a home on 18th Street, was confronted by the homeowner in the living room, this person got away," Francis said.

Police say this time, the thief wasn't armed and didn't get away with anything. The getaway car was a green Ford Escape.

Police say the two cases are similar to a burglary that happened back in August. "We had the individuals who kicked down a door after knocking, claiming to be Rio Rancho police when they broke in," Francis said.

Officers are worried about how the burglars are carrying out their crime—pounding on the door, lying about their identity, and then forcing their way in.

"These people are being very brazen now, where they are banging on doors, ringing bells and then kicking in the door, and taking a huge chance on the homeowner being on the other side of that door, especially armed," Francis said.

In both of Monday's cases, police say the thief was a Hispanic man, about 5"10 and 150 pounds. Police say they have no leads.

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