Recently in Crime Category

I've heard from at least two Van Nuys residents in the southeastern portion of the community whose homes have been burglarized in the past couple of weeks.

The MO is the same in both: Intruders appear to be watching the home and make entry through the pet door, steal items that include flat-screen TVs, laptop computers and jewelry, and then they slip out, seemingly unnoticed.

It's unclear whether or not this is a single individual or someone working alone. In any event, I'm calling this person or persons the Doggy-Door Burglar.

Residents should be on the lookout for strange cars with people in them that are parked on the street for long periods of time for apparently no reason.

If you have a big dog door and not a big, mean dog, you could be at greater risk. Secure the door if you can when you're away from home. If you have an alarm system, use it.

And if you see any suspicious activity, report it to 911 immediately.

Note:The picture above is intended to illustrate what a pet door looks like. The Doggy Door Burglar is most definitely NOT a dog, but a person or persons. Dogs don't generally haul away TVs. There's my disclaimer.