The NYPD is cautioning Upper East Side residents to make sure their doors have been locked securely following a string of 10 burglaries within the past two months.
Thousands of dollars in cash, electronics, jewelry and personal documents were swiped from apartments between Feb. 10 and March 21, authorities said.
Police say victims came home to find their personal items missing in at least half of the thefts, despite believing they had locked their doors.
Residents have been using "slam locks," thinking their apartments were protected. However, the deadbolt-locking feature can be easily pried open using a credit card, according to the NYPD. Unsecured front doors left open and unlocked fire escape windows were two other ways the suspect or suspects gained entry into these apartments, police added.
The thieves hit several apartments in the area between East 82nd Street and East 91st street along First, Second and Third avenues, police said. A majority of the thefts were reported between 7:30 a.m. and 9:40 a.m.
Among the items stolen were a David Yurman necklace, a $300 Burberry watch, multiple U.S. Passports, several credit cards and diamond rings, a Sony Playstation 4, more than $4,000 in cash and a loose ruby.
