The Crime: Burglary
The Victim: Jack Topletz
Location: 5803 Swiss
Date: Tuesday, Feb. 5
Time: 10 p.m.
Being able to see and smell your cash is seldom a bad thing, but as Jack Topletz knows, keeping large amounts of it outside a vault that has its own lock and teller isn’t the best idea.
“My dad’s home is pretty secure, but somehow an unknown person managed to pry open his back window, crawl through, and steal some cash he had hidden away,” says Judy Clemments, Topletz’ daughter. “My dad is 85, and it’s shocking and scary to think that someone would do this to him.”
Unfortunately, this type of situation is something Dallas Police Lt. Michael Woodbury sees often.
“Keeping large amounts of cash in your home is a bad idea,” Woodbury says. “If you insist on keeping money outside of the bank, it’s important to make sure it’s as secure as possible. For starters, it’s a good idea to invest in a water- and fireproof safe, but there are all kinds of things you can buy these days to securely keep money in.
“Always remember to lock your doors and windows and set your alarm, even if you’re leaving for a short period of time. You can have the police come and secure your home for you, if you like. I also recommend regularly checking deadbolts on doors or getting a dog.”
Woodbury says many residents have dogs because “a loud, barking dog will almost always scare off an intruder.” He also suggests placing stickers on doors or windows in the front of the home that warn of active alarm systems.
“My dad will no longer be keeping a lot of cash in the house,” Clemments says. “I’m staying with him until we get his security updated.”
While burglaries may seem like random occurrences, Woodbury says, many involve a selection process. He said criminals go for seemingly unoccupied homes with the greatest amount of cover and the best escape routes, so the key is to make your home seem as inaccessible as possible. Burglars tend to bypass homes that require too much effort or more skills and tools than they possess.
