The burglar bypassed the security system.
The Victim: Dave Bintz
The Crime: Burglary
Date: Wednesday, July 13
Time: Between 8:30 a.m. (July 13) and 6 a.m. (July 14)
Location: 6600 block of Westlake
It’s the call nobody wants to receive while on vacation — someone has broken into the house. But it was what Dave Bintz received while he and his family were out of town for what should have been a relaxing vacation. And Bintz had taken precautions: He had a security system, but the burglar found a way around it. Bintz’s window sensors were set to go off if a window was pried open. This crook simply removed a pane of glass and then proceeded to make off with thousands of dollars in jewelry, including some cherished family heirlooms, Bintz’s University of Illinois class ring and several expensive watches. For the Bintzes, it was very depressing to return to their Lakewood home knowing someone had taken advantage of them.
Since the burglary, Bintz has made every effort to prevent a future break-in.
“These guys are sophisticated. All these houses in this area have been hit and all about 6 in the morning,” he says. “We’ve added security motion detectors everywhere and my stepson is house-sitting when we’re not here.”
On the same night, the house next door also was burglarized. Bintz was amazed at some of the items the burglar decided to steal, including items with no value.
“They stole the buttons from my old U.S. Navy uniform,” he says. “They’re not gold, just cheap metal.”
Dallas Police Sgt. Keitric Jones of the Northeast Patrol Division says Bintz has made a wise decision and that motion sensors are always a good idea to help prevent crime.
“This way, if the burglars are able to enter the home without triggering the alarm, the motion sensors will pick up the movement in the location,” he says. “Most professional burglars watch the location or neighborhood prior to making a move. We emphasize making your home or neighborhood less likely to be targeted by criminals.”
He says it is likely the burglar noticed there was no activity at the house, and that it is good to have neighbors or friends pick up newspapers, take out the trash, and turn lights on from time to time when out of town.
| crime numbers |
07.03
Date when a minor reported being robbed on Northcliff, surrendering an iPod and cell phone; the suspect also demanded the victim’s glasses and smashed them on the ground before fleeing
2:15 p.m.
Time of day July 1 when a homeowner caught would-be burglars trying to pry open the window at his home in the 7100 block of Wake Forest
$250
Amount of damage caused when someone swung a sledgehammer through the wall at JC Liquor in the 1700 block of Greenville
Source: Dallas Police Department
