Police ask residents to be on alert amid Carmel break-ins - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Police in Hamilton County are warning residents about thieves breaking into homes during daylight hours.

Break-ins have been reported in Carmel, Westfield, Noblesville and Fishers in Hamilton County, and some communities south of Indianapolis have also been targeted, including Center Grove and Greenwood.

"Basically, these guys are knocking on the door and waiting to see if anybody's there. If somebody's there, they come up with some type of false story like they're selling magazines, they ask for a name that you've never heard of before, or they're handing out flyers, something like that, or some other false story. If nobody's home, they'll wait a few minutes and they've been forcing their way into the house looking for quick items like cash, jewelry, anything they can grab and get out of the house quickly with," said Carmel Police Lt. Jeff Horner.

Horner didn't have a number of how many times that has occurred in Carmel recently, but a similar setup has been used 21 different times in neighboring Fishers.

"So the bottom line with the series of burglaries, if someone comes up to your door and knocks and you don't know them, don't open it," Horner said.

If you are home, but don't want to talk to the people at the door, there are other ways to communicate. For instance, you can flash the lights or turn on a radio. Peep holes and side windows also work. If you don't know who is at your door, send them on their way, but the bottom line is don't open the door.

"There are ways to indicate you are home, whether it's acting like you are on the telephone or if you are calling 911, just to let the person know you are inside the residence," said Tom Weger, Fishers Police Department.

If you are not home, you certainly need to coordinate a neighborhood watch with those neighbors who are at home during the day.

"If they are breaking into your house, they are dangerous, no doubt," Weger said.

There have been no instances of violence or confrontations. Police are asking residents to be on alert and report any suspicious activity.