Burglar Enters Homes in Long Island Community Using Stolen Garage Door Remotes: Police

Police in a Long Island community are warning residents about a burglar getting into homes using stolen garage remotes. 

Suffolk Police say they're investigating two reports of similar burglaries in Hauppauge, one on Dale Court and one on Janet Court. 

In each case, the burglar opened an unlocked car parked in the driveway to get the garage remote, then opened the garage to get into the home, police said.

The thief managed to take items from one home, but left without taking anything in the other. 

One of the victims, Marie DiGangi, said her husband woke up Thursday morning to find the garage door and the family room door connected to the garage open. The drawers and closets were all left open.

It didn't appear that the intruder took anything.

"I'd like to ask him that question, why he made a mess and he left and he didn't take anything," she said.

"He invaded my home, where you're supposed to be safe, and I want him caught," she said.

DiGangi admitted she should have been more vigilant. 

"We were a little complacent. We forgot to lock one of the cars that night, and this is what could happen," she said. "I guess we all have to be more vigilant and be aware of what's around us. And if you see anything in the middle of the night, people walking or something, call the police." 

Residents should always lock their cars and home entrances to garages, and keep garage remotes out of sight, police said. 

"So often we find burglars commit crimes of opportunity. They're not looking to break a window, they're not looking to damage property, they don't want to cause noise," said a Suffolk police official at a news conference Friday. "So they look for vehicles that are unlocked, homes that are unlocked, windows that are open." 

The official said the heroin epidemic in Suffolk has prompted associated crimes like burglaries and break-ins. 

"A lot of the crimes we experience in Suffolk County are associated with the opioid epidemic, and they're trying to steal money to fuel their addiction," said the official. 

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