SOUTHAMPTON — Southampton and Easthampton police responded to a report of a break-in at a home in Southampton Thursday afternoon.
The incident comes on the heels of six break-ins reported in South Hadley in the last week and a half, according to South Hadley police.
Southampton Police Chief Mike Goyette said police are following a few leads, but at this time it is premature to say whether there are any suspects. He said it is not known if the Southampton break-in is related to the incidents in South Hadley.
According to police, an alarm company called in an alarm at 1:50 p.m. for a residence on Wyben Road in Southampton. Police said a basement window was smashed out to gain entry and said the perpetrator or perpetrators went through belongings in the home’s bedroom and bathroom. No one was home at the time.
Goyette declined to say what was taken, noting an investigation is open and ongoing. Easthampton police, including Easthampton K-9 Gino and handler Officer Andrew Beaulieu assisted with responding to the Southampton breaking and entering.
Police ask anyone with information about the Thursday incident in Southampton to call police at 413-527-1120. Police recommend that residents pay attention to their neighborhoods and report any suspicious activity to police.
“People feel they don’t want to waste our time if it’s nothing, but we’d rather they reach out in case it is something,” Goyette said.
South Hadley Police are also urging people to call if they see anything unusual.
“The town has experienced several breaks into homes in the past week. This has happened in various neighborhoods. We ask that if you should see something out of the ordinary to call us immediately,” stated a posting on the South Hadley Police Department Facebook page.
South Hadley Police Chief Steve Parentela said police typically see an increase in break-ins when the weather starts to get warmer. In the winter, Parentela said people keep their homes, garages and cars closed and secure against the weather, but in milder temps, they may leave doors open while doing yard work for example.
“Sometimes these may be crimes of opportunity,” Parentela said. “People don’t secure things as well in warmer weather.”
He said the most frequently targeted items in break-ins are small, easy to carry away items that hold value, like wallets and expensive sunglasses. Parentela said it’s not known at this time if the recent break-ins are related and said they have been random and in many different neighborhoods of South Hadley.
To report suspicious activity in South Hadley, call 413-538-8231.
M.J. Tidwell can be reached at mjtidwell@gazettenet.com.