There is a rising crime trend in Delaware and across the country involving residential burglaries of Asian business owners. Suspects working in groups are conducting surveillance on Asian-owned businesses to pick up on patterns and schedules. It is common for the suspects to enter the business or watch the outside from the parking lot to determine when the victim(s) is not home. Suspects will also follow victims from their businesses to identify their homes and vehicles. In most cases, the suspects may be from out of state or from a different country. Suspects will also move from state to state conducting burglaries. Unfortunately, victims are sometimes selected, in part, due to stereotypes that business owners have items of high value in their homes.
The New Castle County Division of Police is sharing several tips to prevent these incidents from occurring:
- Call 911 to report suspicious vehicles or suspects, especially those loitering near a business or parking lot.
- Be aware of anyone who might be following you.
- Use alternate routes of travel to and from work.
- Install and ensure video surveillance cameras are functioning, and unobstructed.
- Talk with your HOA board about placing cameras near the entrance of the neighborhood.
- Install and test your alarm system regularly.
- Remove climbing aids like ladders and trash bins from around your property.
- Change the combination to your safes and bolt them to the floor.
- Keep high-value items in a safe deposit box or bank.
- Photograph and itemize jewelry and valuable items.
- Illuminate all entry points and exterior sides of your home and business.
- Motion sensor lighting will also help deter break-ins.
- Keep your vehicle and glovebox locked while at work.
- Lock all windows and doors before leaving home.
- Park in spots further from a business which will allow time to survey the parking lot.
- Be aware of any cars in your neighborhood that aren’t normal.
- Be careful in using social media and avoid posting information about valuables or schedules.
- Work with your neighbors to look out for each other.
- Lastly, if you are the victim of a burglary or attempted burglary, please call 911 immediately and refrain from disturbing anything at the crime scene.
Any reports can be made to 9-1-1 or by calling the New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency line at 302.573.2800.
For more burglary prevention information, please contact the New Castle County Police Community Services Unit at 302.395.8050.
