Thefts plague neighborhoods in southern New Mexico city

CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) - Police say a rash of thievery is plaguing neighborhoods in one southeastern New Mexico city.

Carlsbad authorities tell the Carlsbad Current-Argus (https://bit.ly/2sHYtlf ) there were between 10 to 15 auto burglaries in just the first week of July and that some thieves have graduated from unforced vehicle break-ins to homes.

Earlier this year, Carlsbad police had warned of an increase in auto burglaries.

Police Detective Scott Naylor says the department now has seen a rise in forced home break-ins across the city.

Naylor says the burglaries are likely carried out by a group of thieves who park their car in a certain area, then fan out and steal as many valuables as possible from nearby homes.

The police department is increasing patrols.

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Information from: Carlsbad Current-Argus, https://www.currentargus.com/