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Open Houses Becoming Open Invitation For Burglars

DENVER (CBS4)- With Denver's competitive real estate market, homes for sale are becoming a target not just for house hunters but also for thieves.

People with homes for sale are on alert after a series of break-ins at those properties.

"It definitely makes you think, makes you feel a little less safe than you did the day before," said resident Jim Reisenman.

Police in Denver said in the past few weeks a handful of homes have been burglarized after open houses.

open home thieves
(credit: CBS)

"We're heartbroken for that family," said neighbor Amber McGown.

Police believe the thieves attend the open house during the day, scout out a way to gain access to the home, then return at night and burglarize the empty home.

Over Easter weekend last month, crooks backed their truck into a garage of a home in Denver's Southmoor neighborhood and stole thousands of dollars worth of appliances. The burglars even removed an inside door to make it easier to steal what they want.

"Dishwasher, range, microwave, everything they had just put in earlier that week," said Reisenman.

Reisenman lives next door to the property that was burglarized. He said the thieves have shaken the neighborhood, "It's a little nerve wracking to know that people would just back up a truck to someone's house and clean it out like that."

Kristi Rathburn, another neightbor, said it's simply a crime of opportunity, "If somebody knows there's not a family or a person living in the home, it might be easier to get access."

Reiseman said it's important for the community to look out for each other, "Keep your eyes open. Help your neighbors out and lock your doors."

Police have not made any arrests in the Easter weekend burglary. They remind everyone to make sure all access points in the home are secure.

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