10TV uncovered a pattern of more than a dozen home break-ins in Columbus, some with people still inside the homes.
In the last week, there were 17 reports of home break-ins in the Linden area.
Tom Ball discovered that someone else was inside his home while he was off on a weekend getaway. The burglars got away with electronics, tools and his wife's medicine.
"They even took my new kitchen vanity that was still in a box," Ball said.
Ball said that the crooks cleaned him out of $8,000 worth of items. He said that he planned to repair his security system and add cameras to watch every angle of his property.
"I mean, I've got to do something," Ball said. "The little thieves can't keep stealing from me. I can't afford them."
Deb Brown, who lives near Ball, said that burglars tried unsuccessfully to break into her garage.
"No, they never got inside," Brown said.
Brown said that she is not an easy target because she has an alarm on her garage and her home.
"Every day I come out and so does my fiancé," Brown said. "We walk the property every day. Just to make sure that everything is like it's supposed to be."
With her property secure, Brown said that the only thing left is to catch the crooks.
"Times are tough on everybody and it's just a shame it comes to that," Brown said.
One victim, who requested anonymity, said that he was asleep with his wife when a burglar broke into his home.
No injuries were reported in the break-ins.
Watch 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for more information.
Comments